Greg’s magic pays in big way
MASTER horseman Greg Bennett was the unsung hero of Magic Millions day, having broken in Shaquero and Alpine Edge, who added their names to a long list of topliners to come through his tutelage.
Bennett, formerly of Scone in NSW, moved to Queensland a few years back and for the past 18 months has run his breaking business under the Fenwick Farm banner near Canungra.
He is most famous for breaking in Makybe Diva, in addition to stars like Typhoon Tracy, All Silent and Ha Ha.
Saturday’s Magic Millions meeting on the Gold Coast ranked highly on his list of most satisfying days, as he also broke in Cup winner Eleven Eleven.
“To get a result like that and to top it off with Eleven Eleven as well, we had a huge day,” Bennett said.
Bennett watched the 2YO Classic with Guy Mulcaster, who chose Shaquero and third-placed She’s All Class for Chris Waller at last year’s sales.
He guesses he has broken in “thousands” of racehorses over the years and he points to his list of topliners as evidence of just how hard it is to get a star.
“The really good ones are few and far between,” he said.
“One or two out of 100 is a good percentage of yearlings that get to that elite level and hopefully go on.
“We broke in 220 yearlings last year and we got three in the race (the other was the emergency Win Burn). That’s a pretty good strike rate.”
Bennett gives trainers an assessment of each horse and whether he thinks they might need more time.
He doesn’t sugar coat when he thinks they aren’t much good.
“I don’t like going over the top, because if people expect too much, they get disappointed. But I certainly gave (Shaquero) a high mark, probably an eight out of 10,” he said.
“Some horses, when you get on them, feel like a double decker bus with three wheels. But others just give you that Ferrari feel and you can feel the motor in them.
“When I broke Makybe Diva in, she was such a beautiful mare to ride. You could ride her around and roll a cigarette and drink a cup of tea at the same time.
“It was like riding on a speed boat. She just glided across the ground. The good ones stand up and show you pretty quickly.”
Buyers waste no time sending their yearlings to be broken in after purchase and Bennett already has 15 babies at Fenwick Farm from last week’s Millions sale.