Change Of Pace For Bennett
- Thursday, 03 November 2011 03:00
Renowned for breaking in three-time Melbourne Cup winner Makybe Diva, Greg Bennett is hoping to make his name as a trainer.
Breaking-in horses has been Bennett's core business for 30-odd years and Makybe Diva his most famous student.
He has also educated the likes of Group One winners Typhoon Tracy and All Silent.
"I'd love to lay claim to breaking in Black Caviar as well but I didn't do her," Bennett said.
Bennett has long prepared a small team on the side but a couple of months ago he decided to hand over the bulk of his breaking business to concentrate on training.
"At the age I am now, I'm more attuned to training than riding breakers," he said.
"We had a good year last year as far as the racehorses were concerned, we had more winners than ever before.
"Hopefully I can get a kick out of training a Group One winner now, rather than breaking one in."
Bennett has 35 horses in work and two of them will run at Randwick on Saturday.
Kaypers will tackle the Sharp Handicap (1600m) while Charm's Honour will line up in the Sky Sports Radio Farewells Royal Randwick Handicap (1200m).
Charm's Honour won her first three starts in the country then stepped straight up to stakes company and was an excellent second to Streama in the Listed Keith Mackay Quality in April.
"We nearly knocked it off too, it took a good one to beat us," Bennett said.
Streama's feats in the spring, including her devastating Group One Flight Stakes victory, were watched with keen interest by the connections of Charm's Honour.
But Bennett is comfortable with their decision to bypass the carnival.
"We chose not to go into the spring. She's a big filly and she needed time," Bennett said.
"Anything we got out of her early was a bonus.
"She's furnished into a lovely three-year-old so we're hoping to pick up a few of the crumbs now."
Charm's Honour is resuming on Saturday and has been tuned-up with a barrier trial.
While she is open to improvement, Bennett anticipates a forward showing from barrier one and with Christian Reith aboard.
"Her last couple of gallops since the trial have been really good," he said.
"Christian Reith is in great form, we've got a nice gate so I'm hoping he can get us home."
Bennett is also upbeat about the chances of Kaypers, who hasn't been far away in two runs back over shorter trips.
"Both runs have been very pleasing in unsuitable races as far as distance is concerned," Bennett said.
"He wants a mile (1600m) and beyond.
"He was favourite for the Muswellbrook Cup (on Tuesday) but I scratched him to run Saturday so hopefully I've pulled the right rein."
