Benevac's commanding front-running victory in Cactus Imaging Handicap

The Cactus Imaging Handicap (1100m) at Royal Randwick on Saturday was perfectly summarised by Sky Thoroughbred Central host Gavin Carmody, highlighting Benevac's dominant lead.

Star young rider Grima has now accumulated 32 city wins and holds a two-win advantage over Braith Nock in the Sydney apprentices premiership, having partnered Benevac for her inaugural win with champion trainer Ciaron Maher.

She showcased her skill aboard Benevac, executing a superb start from the barriers to control the race from the front and secure a convincing victory.

Ciaron Maher's Sydney stable representative confirmed that Benevac was the first horse Grima had ridden for the stable.

"Siena has only had a few rides for us before so it is great she has won for the stable on Benevac,'' said Johann Gerard Dubord, Maher's Sydney stable representative. "She's riding really well and did everything right on the horse."

The striking chestnut Benevac ($2.70) led from start to finish, never appearing under threat as the immediate challenger Zoufame ($2.30 favourite) trailed by two-and-three-quarter lengths, with Escargoes ($6) a close third.

Gerard Dubord noted that Benevac is a young, lightly-raced sprinter who continues to develop with each race.

"He's a lovely horse and we feel there is more to come from him,'' Gerard Dubord added. "He's got a lot of upside."

Benevac, aptly named as he is by Godolphin's highly-rated young sire Bivouac out of Houston Benefactor, was secured by Dean and Adam Watt's Dynamic Syndications for $140,000 at the Magic Millions Yearling Sale two years ago. His Randwick success was the second of his career across 10 starts, along with five minor placings, and he has surpassed his purchase price, amassing over $290,000 in prizemoney with the potential for further earnings.

It was a day of significant milestones for several participants at the Randwick meeting, with Eagle Farm-based trainer Todd Pollard celebrating his first Sydney winner aboard All Kinds Of Folk in the Asahi Super Dry Handicap (1800m).

Remarkably, All Kinds Of Folk was Pollard's inaugural runner in NSW, with the trainer only commencing his licence in February.

Pollard has enjoyed a remarkable start to his training career, with All Kinds Of Folk representing his 10th winner from merely 44 starters, including two victories at Listed level.

"I don't think we will keep that strike-rate going but I couldn't have asked for a better start to my career,'' he commented. "And to get a winner here at Randwick with my first runner is a very special moment for me."

All Kinds Of Folk ($4.40 favourite), expertly ridden by champion jockey Kerrin McEvoy, managed to overhaul the pace-setting Tambela ($4.80) just before the post, winning by a long neck. Existential Bob ($5.50) finished a further three lengths adrift in third.

Explore the latest online bookmakers for the upcoming races.