Cup win writes Kiwi jockey into history
Rosie Myers created her own slice of history when she won the Group Two Brisbane Cup aboard New Zealand stayer Benzini at Eagle Farm yesterday.
Myers became the first woman to ride the winner of the Brisbane Cup when Benzini ($11) scored by a neck from Sir John Hawkwood ($5) with Junoob ($12) three lengths away third.
Michelle Payne rewrote the record books when she became the first female jockey to win the Melbourne Cup last year aboard Prince Of Penzance and Myers joined the exclusive club by winning the Brisbane Cup.
Myers rode successfully in Queensland several years ago when she was apprenticed to Kelso Wood before returning to New Zealand to be with her partner William Fell, who manages Goodwood Stud.
Myers declared Benzini her favourite horse and was thrilled when co-trainers Adrian and Harry Bull gave her the ride in the Brisbane Cup.
“The Bulls are very loyal people and to come up trumps in a race like this is a huge thrill,” she said.
“The race wasn’t run very quickly and he got to the front too soon, but to his credit he fought like a tiger.”
Harry Bull was trackside to watch the Cup accompanied by his mother Robyn and sister Lucy.
His great aunt Margaret Bull won the 1985 Epsom Handicap with Magnitude, which carried the same colours worn by Benzini.
Bull said Benzini had derived plenty of benefit from his third in the Premier’s Cup (2200m) at Doomben at his start on May 28.
“That was always going to top him off for this race and he’s an awesome horse to train,” Bull said.
Benzini will continue his winter carnival campaign in the Group Two Tattersall’s Cup (2200m) at Eagle Farm on June 25.
Real Love, the $4 favourite, raced in second position turning out of the straight the first time but was shuffled back through the field approaching the home turn.
The Gai Waterhouse-trained Ecuador ($7.50) led the field into the straight but weakened to finish sixth.
Cambridge trainer Tony Pike won the Group One Queensland Oaks with Provocative ridden by Kiwi jockey Leith Innes. Second, three lengths back was Ambience ridden by James McDonald.
In the Group One Stradbroke Handicap the Robert Smerdon trained Under The Louvre headed the favourite Black Heart Bart.
Rosie Myers brought home outsider The Virginian for third. The Virginian paid $22 for a place and the trifecta was $5523.20.