BENEVAC Bedazzles at Canterbury with Courageous Determined WIN

BENEVAC a 3yo Chestnut Gelding (Bivouac x Houston Benefactor) has always shown above average ability from the moment we put a saddle on him. So, it was with patience and guile that Team Dynamic mapped out a programme for their “All Ladies Ownership Team” who race BENEVAC.



The plan was executed to perfection on Wednesday afternoon when BENEVAC won Race 1 at Canterbury the SUPER MAIDEN over 1100m 


BENEVAC (Tim Clark) defeats Buckeye at Canterbury 1100m 17/9/25 

We started his career as a 2yo in the Lonhro Plate in February this year, with a 2yo focus on the better quality races in the Autumn. However both physically and mentally he wasn’t quiet there and he pulled up shinsore from that race and the autumn was aborted with the 3yo Spring in mind. 

BENEVAC has come back a much bigger and stronger horse and at home he has been living right up to the hype. Unfortunately, with the heavy rains Sydney received over the past month, that put us back in his foundation fitness and we desperately needed to get him up and going for where we are planning to get to. 

We took him to Gosford against the older horses for his resumption run, knowing he was still well underdone and would improve with racecraft and fitness. Tim Clark rode him that day and we led until 50m to go before copping a bump from the 4yo Winner that knocked us off balance and cost us second spot when finishing third by a length to Banjora and Extractor. 

That gave BENEVAC a vital hit out and added to his experience and toughness. 

Before that race we had identified this race at Canterbury on the 17th September as a perfect second-up placement if we didn’t win at Gosford.

It was again over 1100m and was a Super Maiden which allows for greater prizemoney distribution.

The race was worth $100,000 with $48,000 to the winner plus a BOBS Bonus of $11,250 allowing our “All Ladies Ownership Team” to bank $59,250 for the Win whilst they also have the opportunity to take BOBS Double Up vouchers effectively doubling the BOBS Bonus. 

You can only win your maiden once, and with such a big payday for breaking the maiden it was decided we would target this event at Canterbury. 

With BENEVAC’s natural gatespeed, further fitness, and experience from his Gosford excursion, with the run under his belt, this would give us a solid platform into a Canterbury race restricted to 3yo’s who were all trying to improve into Spring features. 

We felt this race would identify exactly what class of horse BENEVAC could develop into for us with the benefit of further racing experience. 

The race attracted 28 nominations with a final field of 17 acceptors being 12 runners and 5 emergencies. Our hearts initially sank when the race field came out and we had drawn barrier 12 of 17. There were to be 6 scratching leaving a field of 11 to face the starter. However 5 of the 6 had drawn outside us and that meant we were left with the prospect to jump away from barrier 11 of 11. 

We were not left with many options from that marble. It’s either roll forward and cross the field or go back and settle at the rear and ride for luck. With the rail out 6 metres and the lovely Spring sunshine delivering a Good 4 surface, Canterbury traditionally plays up and in, suiting leaders on the fence. 

We anticipated there were a few speedy squibs in the race that may wish to run along and try and keep us wide, but we still had to take the risk that we had the ability and fitness and belief in our rider Tim Clark to judge the tempo to perfection. We expected that race may be run at a quick early tempo and that would set it up for back markets to swoop but had to trust we would have a big enough lead to thwart those chasing. 

BENEVAC arrived at the machines at a luxury third favourite price of $11 with Pictor (James MacDonald) a $1.85 favourite and Fernweh (Nash Rawiller) a $4.40 second favourite.

What was a shock was when the gates crashed back, the field was away as if it was an Oakleigh Plate where connections of several other runners all had the same idea to lead the race. 

That created a very fast tempo that would gas out those on speed and allow those settling off tempo, to suck up into the race, saving petrol with a chance to run on strongly the final furlong. 

We didn’t have a Plan B from barrier 11 and as they jumped away BENEVAC was a clear neck in front of them all. Then there was a charge of the Light Brigade, and out of the ruck came a horse named Defiance who was hellbent on leading. It speared across at breakneck speed to find the fence which made Tim give BENEVAC a further dig to cross the face of the field and sit at its girth. 

We weren’t concerned with that runner being a danger, as it had faded in its first two runs and its early tempo ensured it would burst like a pricked balloon later in the race. 

The eventual runner-up named Buckeye had also pushed forward before taking hold and sitting in third spot and found the fence. It was therefore able to bowl along without pressure sucking up in the slip stream and then have the last shot at the leader. 

Whilst the horses that finished third and fourth both chose to drop out and swoop late. Both third and fourth were Pierro Lad and Peace Bird were stablemates of BENEVAC and connections were confident that BENEVAC should beat those runner’s home. 

As a result, the race was ridden “upside down” with incredibly quick early sectionals giving way to progressively slower splits which accounts to the eye of swoopers getting home. 

Tim Clark rode the perfect race. He was away cleanly, positioned BENEVAC to the outside of a leader that was anticipated would stop (and did), and had secured an ideal run in transit, showing great horsemanship to get BENEVAC to settle after the first 300m and get into a rhythm, saving valuable petrol to have the energy in the straight to fight off the closing brigade. 

As the race unfolded, Defiance and BENEVAC led, two lengths back to Buckeye who was able to work across and find the fence in third spot, with Fernweh its girth in 4th, a further 2 lengths back to a cluster with Hard Jakka the fence, the favourite Pictor one off, three wide Maidoff and Peleus then one further back from Ho Aloha, Pierro Lad and Peace Bird at the tail 10 lengths off the lead. 

Passing the 800m at the top turn, jockey Dylan Gibbons on Defiance inexplicably kept pushing forward and Tim on BENEVAC let it overwork to find try and find a one length break. 

Buckeye was saving ground and slip streaming up on the fence whilst Pierro Lad and Peace Bird were still 8 lengths away at the tail. 

Between the 700m and the 600m, Tim reeled-in the leader to eyeball it as the field began its swing into the straight. 

On straightening at the 300m BENEVAC balanced for the run home in front, with Defiance gone, and Buckeye giving chase, a length away but had the benefit of a soft run doing no work and saving ground, which had been a terrific ride by Zac Lloyd and it peeled out to give chase.





At the 200m every runner had its chance. BENEVAC was starting to run on fumes and Buckeye was a length and a half away giving chase and challenging whilst down the outside stablemates Pierro Lad and Peace Bird who had done no work were running on. 



At the 100m BENEVAC was all-in and a length clear of Buckeye who had momentum, whilst the others could not respond to the pressure and were yielding whilst the swoopers were running on. 



With 50m to run Buckeye had drawn up to challenge but that engaged BENEVAC to fight on, and he proved too strong, too resilient and refused to allow that horse to pass him whilst a length and three-quarters away a swarm filled the minor placings. 



Class Horse, Tremendous Front Running Ride, and a Will to Win rose to the fore, as BENEVAC claimed the Cash for an excited Team of Ladies. 



JOB DONE!


That win means a lot for Adam & Adam!

BENEVAC was purchased from the Segenhoe Stud draft at the Magic Millions Yearling Sale by Dynamic Syndications and Dean Watt Bloodstock for $140,000.

BENEVAC is the sixth winner from seven to the races out of the well-related stakes placed Encosta de Lago mare Houston Benefactor.

A sister to Group 2 winner Sovereign Nation and a three-quarter-sister to multiple Group 1 winner Princess Coup, herself the dam of stakes winners Argentia and Thewizardofoz, Houston Benefactor unfortunately missed to So You Think the year after producing Benevac, followed by foaling a filly by Russian Revolution.

Team Dynamic had purchased and raced the first foal, a colt by Exceed and Excel from Houston Benefactor named We Have Lift Off. It also was a Winner over 1100m at Canterbury and was stakes performed when 4th in the BRC Calaway Gal Stakes LR. 

BENEVAC is the 3/4 Brother to We Have Lift Off. 










BENEVAC in the Winner's Stall

MEDIA:

Brad Gray pre-race summary for Sky Channel: “Benevac - he will come across and make his own luck. Canterbury 6 metres, you'd expect it to suit those horses that can make their own luck. The last couple just loading in for race one at Canterbury, so will head up to Darren Flindell.”

Racecaller Darren Flindell picks up the microphone: “Perfect spring afternoon and Benevac now as the last to move in. Pictor an odds-on favourite in the Yulong silks and racing is about to get underway. Good 4 today. 

“Racing in the opener! Buckeye jumped well with Benevac with Maidoff there. Boy this is a good go for the lead. Defiance with the blinkers on responded to early urgings, and Defiance will lead from Benevac, now Fernweh was caught pretty wide moving up on the outside of Buckeye, then the favourite Pictor being ridden up a bit, being smothered, with Hard Jakka on the fence, Maidoff the outside, Peleus is being eased back from Ho Aloha, Pierro Lad, and Peace Bird is the last one.

Defiance shows the way from Benevac and Fernweh got across, sitting third now on the outside of Buckeye, two lengths further back to Maidoff, now McDonald's desperately riding Pictor up at the 600 metres, as Peleus goes around the outside from Hard Jakka and Pierro Lad. 

It’s Defiance in front from Benevac, then Fernweh from Buckeye; further back to Pictor is being aggressively ridden, still three lengths off the lead. Benevac in front from Fernweh, Buckeye coming off heals, Pictor one paced, Benevac still in front of Buckeye who presents a danger. Benevac just in front of Buckeye; Benevac a half-head to Buckeye. Third Peace Bird down the outside in a photo with Piero Lad, followed then to Fernweh, Ho Aloha, Hard Jakka, well they left it in the bag there with Pictor, it was under immense pressure long way from home. Further back then to Maidoff and Defiance got pretty tired.”

Chantell Buckly for Sky Channel commentary said: “Number 2 - BENEVAC will hold on, albeit quite narrowly, but he gets the job done ahead of #3 Buckeye in second spot. I'm thinking 9 Pierro Lad just ahead of 11 Peace Bird, but Benevac, run number two or second run for the preparation and he lands nice odds there $10.80 and $2.60. $4.50 Buckeye, and as I said, 9 Pierro Lad will wind-up in that third spot just ahead of a Peace Bird. But he didn’t do a lot wrong did he?

Brad Gray from Sky agrees: “No, he won it at the start didn’t he! Jumped clean; outside of Defiance, who dropped out to be beaten a long way. It was largely an on-speed dominated race and Benevac was left in front a fair way from home. But Canterbury 6 metres, it’s playing as we might expect. Buckeye, a lovely return from him. He came back at gelding today. Like the way he executed, he just went down but his turn is around the corner. 

“But Benevac - you make your own luck and that's what happens.”

Chantelle chimed back in: “Exactly right? Well, they must have thought enough of him. He debuted in the LONHRO PLATE last preparation. He was beaten about 6 lengths behind Bellazaine on that occasion. He’s been gelded this time around, and at Joh joins me from the stable. As Brad touched on, he won it at the start. Jumped straight to the front and they were unable to catch him.”

Johann Gerard-Dubord (Aussie Joh): “Yeah that's right. Obviously around this track, if you can skip away like he did especially. He had a run under his belt, so we were comfortable doing that. He’s a horse that’s been showing a bit of talent which is why we started him in that race (Lonhro Plate) last prep. He did a few things wrong that day. He’s been gelded since. He was good first-up and improved on the back of it. It was a good run, he was tough today, so good to get the job done. Great to get a job done for Dynamic, they are very good supporters, and Adam’s grand-dad Cyril is not very well, and I think that means a lot to them.”

Chantelle agrees: “Yeah, absolutely wishing him all the best.”

“And your third and 4th runners Peace Bird an also Pierro Lad they were brilliant late.”

Joh said: “Similar style of horses. We were coming here just to trying to get a good day out for them. We knew they would be strong late, we had to go along way back, but at the top of the straight they got travelling but the last bit of the race was obviously very good. And yeah, it's nice going forward to have three nice horses. Thank you.”

Chantelle continues: “Alright, Tim is just unsaddling, and Kirsten Duke will have a chat to him. Tim actually rode him first up at Gosford when he led them up and he was rundown inside that last 75m. He’s come on from that run. He was able to jump straight to the front, lead them up, and hold on for his first victory at start three this afternoon. Alright here is Kirsten with Tim.”

Kirsten commences: “Tim, that was a really great frontrunning ride there. The speed was on early, but you managed to make your own luck up in front.”

Tim Clark responded: “He drew a little bit awkwardly and just had to be positive on him early to get our spot. I started him up a little bit to get there, and it just took him, took me, a little while to get him back but he came back and settled off the leader and the leader, it just didn't take me anywhere. It just left him there a bit early and he was left a sitting duck really! And to the horse’s credit, and to Ciaron and the Team, they had him very well prepared for today, and he responded well and I felt that he went again inside the last 50 metre, when the second horse challenge him. 

Kirsten then said: “It looks like he made a stack of progression between these runs. I'm expecting he's going to make another, through that educational run?”

Tim agreed: “Yeah that's right. And that's sort of probably a lot like Ciaron’s horses. They really do improve into their preparations, and good to get the win on the board, and good to ride another winner for Dynamic. Thank you.”

Sky Channel went back to the studio where they concluded: “Benevac proving too speedy in the opening event at Canterbury. Paid well too $10.80 and $2.60. Well rated by Tim Clark and defeated Buckeye back in second spot at $4:50. Pierro Lad runs third at $2.70 and Peace Bird rounding out that first four. Numbers 2,3, 9, and 11. The numbers you needed there on race number one at Canterbury. We saw Benevac racing right up on top of the speed there, with Buckeye coming off the rails to finish second. Well done if you manage to find the opening winner.”


Nothing is sweeter than a winning debrief 

After the excitement subsided, Adam Watt interviewed Tim Clark and Aussie Joh for BENEVAC’s Owners. Adam Watt began asking Tim Clark to record a post-race report and started by joking with Tim: “Tim you were just telling us how good your ride was on Benevac!”

Tim laughed and responded: “Yeah, he went terrific. As I said, I think there was a bit more merit in the win than the margin might suggest. Had to work early; had to give him a squeeze to get across to clear them. There was a few wanting to come with me and then it took him a little bit to come back because I had started him, took him a little bit to come back. But then he eventually come back relaxed well. Only sort of started edging up hoping the leader would increase. The leader just had no carrots left and ultimately, left him there very early, to earlier than I would have liked and left him a bit of a sitting shot. So he's very courageous especially over the final fifty when challenged, he really went again and dug in and well deserved win. Thank you. 

Then Adam asked Aussie Joh for comments for the owners: “Thanks guys that was a very good win. Like Tim says there was a bit more merit than actual the actual margin, especially with a horse that when he first run, he wanted to do everything wrong. And today had to do work early and switched off so well after that. I think he has matured a lot, especially being a gelding now and I think he'll keep improving, but good prizemoney race and good to get the maiden in town out of the way.”


BENEVAC 3yo Chestnut by BIVOUAC from HOUSTON BENEFACTOR

Summary: 3-1:0:1 and Prizemoney incl. Bonus: $66,650

1st of 11 CANT 17Sep25 1100m Good4 SUPER MDN-SW $100,000 ($59,250) Tim Clark 57kg Bar11 2nd Buckeye 57kg, 3rd Pierro Lad 57kg 1:04.81 (600m 35.69), 0.08L, 2nd@800m, 2nd@400m, $12/$11


The Boys representing their partners 

Congratulations to a Wonderful All Ladies Team that race BENEVAC: Dynamic Ladies, Mrs K Coopersmith, Mrs J A Kayess, Mrs C Freeman, Ms J E Mors, Mrs B K Bennell, Mrs P Smith, Dr L Vaughan, Mrs V A Warton, Mrs K J Mitchell, Miss TL McManus, Segenhoe Ladies