Record-breaking Christmas Parcel for Beneteau
Exactly 51.07 seconds after the Wez Hunter-trained 2YO filly Parcel sprang out of the gates at Bendigo on Sunday, Leading First Season Sire Beneteau had his fourth winner.
That time is a new track record for 900 metres, breaking subsequent multiple Group winner Innovation Girl’s 13 year-old record by 0.15 second.
Ridden by visiting Western Australian apprentice Chris Parnham, Parcel strode along easily in front and when challenged by the favourite Duhallow in the straight, she responded strongly to win the juvenile maiden by three-quarters of a length. Jameka came from the rear of the field to run second with Duhallow three lengths back in third place.
Parcel was bred by Danny Bourke and bought by Hunter & Leonard Russo’s Bluegrass Bloodstock for $12,500 from Newhaven Park at the 2014 Magic Millions National Yearling Sale.
The filly’s dam Gibraltar Range, by Rock of Gibraltar from the French stakeswinner Hancora, was a 2YO winner and has also left the Paul Messara-trained winner Battlefront. Now owned by Rosemont Stud, she foaled a colt by Starspangledbanner this Spring.
Beneteau has made a dream start to a stud career limited by his death in January 2013 to two crops totalling 135 live foals.
His first starter Prompt Return won on debut at Bendigo in October, and stepped straight up to win the VRC Maribyrnong Plate G3 in dominant fashion. It’s Vegas Baby became Beneteau’s second stakes performer when he was third to Wicked Intent in the BRC Phelan Ready S. LR on 13 December.
The filly Aegean Sea won at Randwick in November before injury sent her to the paddock for an extended break, and the gelding Voilier scored at Rosehill on 6 December to open a campaign aimed at the Golden Slipper.
With 49 foals in Beneteau’s second and final crop, demand for his yearlings in 2015 is very likely to outstrip supply. Four fillies and three colts will be offered at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Sale by Holbrook Thoroughbreds, Lyndhurst Stud, Newhaven Park, Riversdale, Robyn Wise and Arrowfield.
Two colts and four fillies by Beneteau will be presented by Ascot Park, Fairview Park Stud, Sefton Park Thoroughbreds, Torryburn Stud & Arrowfield at the Inglis Classic Sale in February.
View Arrowfield’s four upcoming Beneteau yearlings here.
