Delayed start to spring for Benedetta
Group 1-winning mare Benedetta will miss next Friday night’s Group 1 Manikato Stakes (1200m) due to a minor setback.
The five-year-old was withdrawn from last weekend’s Group 2 Bobbie Lewis Quality (1200m) after sustaining a knock to her hind leg, prompting trainer Jason Warren to adjust her spring campaign.
“Where she has knocked her leg has all settled down, but she’s had to have a quiet week,” Warren told Racing.com.
“A solid Manikato first-up over 1200 metres was going to be too much of an ask.”
Benedetta, the daughter of Hellbent, is now set to resume in the Group 2 Schillaci Stakes (1100m) at Caulfield on October 12.
Warren had considered entering her in the Group 2 Gilgai Stakes (1200m) a week earlier but opted against it as there wouldn’t be sufficient time for a trial beforehand.
The mare will then target the Group 2 McEwen Stakes (1200m) on Cox Plate Day, with her sights set on the Group 1 Champions Sprint (1200m) on the final day of the Flemington Carnival.