Benzini stands up for Bulls in Hong Kong

Benzini flew the Kiwi flag with pride in Hong Kong finishing sixth on one of horse racing’s biggest days.

The New Zealand-trained stayer was taking on some of the best gallopers in the world in the Group I Longines Hong Kong Vase in front of more than 80,000 punters at Sha Tin on Sunday night (NZT). Benzini, a $137 outsider to win, is trained at Hunterville, less than an hour’s drive inland from Whanganui, by father and son team Adrian and Harry Bull.

The sixth placing exceeds the expectations of what many Kiwis expected in the race worth $2.9 million. Benzini’s placing will net the Bull family, who own the horse, around $60,000.

Sunday’s race was won by 20-1 shot Satono Crown, in the hands of champion jockey Joao Moreira, for Japanese trainer Hajime Satomi. Last year’s winner Highland Reel, a $1.50 favourite, was half a head behind in second.

Benzini’s regular jockey Rosie Myers made all the right moves to give her mount the most economical trip over the 2400m journey.

Myers settled Benzini at the pack of the back from their wide draw and hugged the rail all the way. They were held up in the run home but with 150m to run Benzini looked a massive chance of running third.

He was unable to catch the eventual third placegetter One Foot In Heaven and then was only run down by Nuovo Record and Smart Layer just before the post.