Latest News

By Graeme White

It didn’t take long for the astute eye of trainer Sue Grills to know she had an above-average talent on her hands.

Her latest work in progress – My Benalla – was the type of thoroughbred that caught her attention from the start and he could further enhance his record at Tamworth on Monday.

The six-year-old will line-up in the TAB.Com.Au Spring Cup (1200m) with a near faultless record of four wins and a second from five starts.

It hasn’t all been glory for My Benalla as off the track setbacks have restricted his career to less starts than most horses will have in one preparation.

Grills and her husband John own My Benalla and have been able to give the son of Animal Kingdom all the time he needs to get over tendon issues.

My Benalla races in precautionary light bandages on his front legs and if he can continue to stay in one piece, Grills is confident he will measure up to better grade.

She holds out some hope My Benalla can grab a late spot in The Kosciuszko if one is still available by the time he races on Monday: “I’m hoping he might get picked up, but first he has to win and then we will see,” she said.

“I will definitely take him to a Saturday race in Sydney after this. I would have preferred to go to Brisbane with him, but with the restrictions, I will go to Sydney.

“I feel he has the ability to win more races and being a fairly big horse we have had to give him time. It has been a bit better for us (John and Sue) because we own him ourselves and there has been no pressure to rush him back.”

My Benalla takes on a strong line-up in the higher graded race after winning a Benchmark 66 when resuming at Scone on September 7. It was his first start since January, 2020 – a gap of 81 weeks between starts – but two lead in trials had him ready to go first-up.

Despite his record, My Benalla started as a $6.50 chance with jockey Rory Hutchings steering the gelding to a fast-finishing win over Dominant Lady and Joey’s Choice. He won a trial prior to that over The Kosciuszko contender, Mr Hussill, and Grills feels there is still improvement to come off his winning return.

“We can only take it each run at a time with him, but his legs are fine and as a six-year-old I’m hoping he can just keep going,” she said. “I bought him cheaply for $2000 as a yearling mainly because his x-rays weren’t good at that stage.

“The vet said if you really like him then give him time so that is what I did. I always knew he was worth it – he was a beautiful yearling.”

My Benalla still has the best of his racing ahead of him and even though it has taken time and patience for him to hit his straps it’s what could lie ahead that is the most exciting part. The galloper has far from reached his full potential and if can win again on Monday then it won’t take much for Grills to hook up the float and head to Sydney.

She has raced some top-class gallopers in the past and knows what type of horse is needed to win at a higher level. The likes of former stable stars Border Rebel, Burning Crown and Ollie Vollie have given Grills some of greatest racing moments

The long-time trainer is taking it step by step with My Benalla: “You can only take it race by race with him, but I think he will be very hard to beat and the 1200 metres will suit him,” she said. “A bigger track like Scone would be more suitable, but it’s an ideal race for where he is at.”

My Benalla won on debut at Tamworth in June of 2019 and suffered his only defeat at the same course later that year. Edit is due to have his first start for trainer Cody Morgan after arriving from New Zealand with a record of two wins, two seconds and two fourths from six starts.

The topweight Partners ran second behind the in-form Kateru at Dubbo last start and despite having the top weight and outside draw he will be a major threat. If My Benalla can win again it will keep his brilliant record intact and also confirm the Grills have another class act on their hands.