Benedetta could bypass Kingsford Smith Cup for 2025 Stradbroke Handicap
Victorian trainer Jason Warren has some tough scheduling calls to make for his classy mare Benedetta after the Kingsford Smith Cup (1300m) was postponed and shifted to this coming Saturday.
The rescheduling of the $1 million Group 1 sprint at Eagle Farm now places it in direct conflict with her path toward the Stradbroke Handicap (1400m), meaning she may have to bypass one of her major targets this winter.
“The conundrum for us now is it rules out one of the Group Ones that we had as a target,” Warren said.
“The 1300 (on Saturday) would have been ideal, we were well-suited at the weights and well-placed.
“But I think it rules out one of the races. Essentially, we have to skip the Kingsford Smith now and go to the Stradbroke or skip the Stradbroke and to the Tatt’s Tiara, which that then impacts on your spring when you’re talking only a matter of weeks in the paddock.”
The Tattersall’s Tiara is another elite-level option, taking place on June 28, and could serve as Benedetta’s swansong for the season should she skip the Stradbroke.
To date, Benedetta has had a demanding campaign, starting with a placing in the Black Caviar Lightning and running in nothing but Group 1 races, including the William Reid Stakes, Newmarket Handicap, All Aged Stakes and Doomben 10,000.
Racing Queensland has adjusted the Eagle Farm card for this weekend to include not only the Kingsford Smith but also the Queensland Oaks, Queensland Derby, and Helen Coughlan Stakes.
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