Benedetta at her best in G1 The Goodwood

Posted by RS NewsWire at 10:21pm on May 11th

Consistency has been rewarded for the Jason Warren trained mare Benedetta , who claimed her maiden Group One success in The Goodwood (1200m) at Morphettville on Saturday.

In three other attempts at the highest level, the four-year-old mare had finished fourth, fourth and third, but today was her day under a perfect ride from hometown hero Jamie Kah, who took her second of four Group Ones over the Adelaide carnival.

Kah settled Benedetta ($6) midfield with cover and was able to take runs between horses in order to get to the wider lanes in the straight, holding off Stretan Angel ($31) by a Long Head with stablemate Climbing Star ($20) a further 1-1/2 lengths away in third.

This was just Group One win number two for Warren, who trained Bel Sprinter to win The Galaxy in 2013 and he said the post-race feeling was mainly relief.

“Just wanted to get the job done for the horse and she’s been so gallant in defeat in good races and just to get that group one under the belt is a big relief… I’m just so pleased for the horse and the connections, terrific,” Warren said.

Kah, who won last week’s Group 1 SA Derby (2500m) aboard Coco Sun, said the race panned out exactly as she had planned.

“It was exactly where I wanted to be, everything just happened perfectly for us. She’s a horse with so much talent and she’s just had things not go her way and today it was lined out perfectly for her,” Kah said.

Born in Adelaide, Kah is already looking forward to next year’s carnival, with the Oaks and Sangster left to complete the quartet of Adelaide Group Ones.

“It’s so special. I wanted that one group one and after one you want another one, you want to keep getting more and more. I’ve got a few more to beat Ben’s record for the Goodwood’s but I’ll be back next year!” Kah said.

Warren confirmed Benedetta is likely to press on to Queensland this campaign, with the Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) her next target.

More Racing News

War Machine to target the 2026 Australia Stakes

Top-class sprinter War Machine will resume in the Group 2 Australia Stakes (1200m) at Pakenham on Friday night as connections eye a strong autumn campaign. The race, traditionally held at Moonee Valley, has been moved due to redevelopment works and shapes as an ideal launchpad for the Lindsay Park galloper. War Machine...

Yesterday

2026 Golden Slipper Stakes favourite Incognito nearing return to the races

The absence of Incognito from the Magic Millions 2YO Classic did little to dent his standing in Golden Slipper markets, with the colt edging closer to a raceday return. Michael Freedman elected to sidestep the Gold Coast feature with the $1 million purchase, instead opting for a controlled trial as the...

Yesterday

Antino to target 2026 Queen Elizabeth Stakes in the Autumn

A strong trial session at Deagon on Tuesday will be highlighted by the return of Antino as Tony Gollan begins plotting another autumn campaign for the talented gelding. Antino has not raced since his disappointing effort in the Group 1 Cox Plate, where he finished last after failing to fire on...

Yesterday

Torque To Be Sure breaks maiden in 2026 Magic Millions Guineas, survives protest

Torque To Be Sure finally lived up to his promise with a breakthrough victory in the $3 million Magic Millions 3yo Guineas, though his success came with a nervous wait in the stewards’ room. The Matthew Dunn-trained gelding drifted under pressure in the closing stages, bumping race favourite Ninja as the...

Jan 18th

Big Sky surges into 2026 Blue Diamond Stakes calculations

Big Sky’s dominant debut at Flemington has propelled him straight into calculations for the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m), giving Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr the top two runners in early betting. The Bivouac colt overcame a wide draw in the TAB We’re On (1000m), travelling strongly under Jordan...

Jan 17th

Mile no issue for Merrigold in 2026 Vobis Gold Distaff

Trainer John Sadler admitted a touch of stubbornness delayed Merrigold’s step up to 1600 metres, but the mare made him look wise with a dominant Flemington victory. The five-year-old was having her first start beyond 1400 metres and handled the rise in distance with ease when taking out the Vobis Gold...

Jan 17th

Future History too strong in the 2026 January Cup

Future History showed his class and toughness when landing the $200,000 Listed January Cup at Rosehill, giving Ciaron Maher another feature race success. The eight-year-old almost didn’t take his place in the race after heavy rain downgraded the track, but connections elected to press on despite concerns about the conditions. Ridden positively...

Jan 17th

Unit Five powers home in the 2026 Magic Millions Classic

Unit Five announced himself as a rising star with a powerful victory in the $3 million Magic Millions 2YO Classic, overcoming far more seasoned rivals despite limited race experience. The Ciaron Maher-trained colt, ridden confidently by Thomas Stockdale, held off Tornado Valley by a length, with By Choice finishing just behind...

Jan 17th

Golden Slipper Stakes 2026 plans for Godolphin’s Outspan

The Godolphin-trained Outspan has thrust himself into Golden Slipper calculations after a commanding win at Rosehill on Saturday. After settling just behind the speed in the 1100m contest, the Michael Freedman-trained colt finished strongly to defeat Long Throw ($15) by 1-1/2 lengths, with Miss Chanel ($4.60) another half-length back. The performance marked...

Jan 17th

Tony Gollan’s two-year-old Itching To Go in 2026 Magic Millions Classic

Tony Gollan is leaning on a proven strategy as Itchintogo lines up on a seven-day backup in the Magic Millions 2yo Classic (1200m) this Saturday. The approach has delivered strong results historically, with six winners of the $3 million race following the same path over the past 15 years. Purchased for $60,000...

Jan 16th