Royal Ascot is under consideration for Benedetta

Success breeds success as the old saying goes and with Asfoora claiming Royal Ascot glory this year, having further runners eyeing up the famous meeting in 2025 is to be expected. Benedetta has improved all season and will be one to keep an eye on in the next. 

Gaining a Group 1 win with a mare is always a huge boost for their future value in the paddocks and that is a big tick in the right box for Benedetta. She saluted in The Goodwood in May, sent off at odds of $6.00 with the horse racing bookmakers.  
 
She certainly has the class to make an impact, a rating of 112 compared to the 110 level that Asfoora took to Ascot this year. That is worth noting given the usual lack of quality that is to be found among the European sprinters, a rating that would give her a strong chance.  

A season of rapid improvement from Benedetta 

Benedetta has had a long season, starting off in a BM84 at Flemington on August 5 and ending with a down the field run in the Group 1 Stradbroke on June 15. She started with a rating of 88, ending on 112 after a season where she has progressed hugely.  
 
She has won eight of the 16 races she has run in so far in her career, winning a pair of Group 3 contests before she would step up to the highest level of racing and more than make her mark while competing in Group 1 races. 

Saluting in the Goodwood at Morphettville  

Benedetta had already had a third and a pair of fourth-place finishes in Group 1 company before the Goodwood at Morphettville. It was not the strongest Group 1 run during the season but it is a success that will always be on her record and cannot be taken away from her. 
 
She is taking well to being held onto a little longer in her races, ridden a little more prominently in her starts earlier in the season. Perhaps she found 1400m a little beyond her in the Stradbroke with her best form coming over 1100m and 1200m so far and those shorter distances would probably be advisable next season. 

Can a Royal Ascot trip add to the prestige? 

It is in the King Charles III Stakes that Australia has had such a great record in the past. Whether she is going to go for that 1000m contest on the first day or the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes over 1200m on the final day is very much open to debate at present with the stiff track at Ascot likely to play a factor in the decision. 
 
She has an important spring campaign before that trip can become a reality with the need to win some nice prizes to fund the trip. A spot in the Everest is a major aim for her connections in October where a prominent finish would give her what is required to go to England. 
 
Benedetta is slated to start her spring campaign at The Valley in the Manikato over 1200m at the end of September with the consolation race for the Everest a solid option B if she is unable to secure a slot in the main race itself. Whatever happens, it is set to be a very interesting year for connections and for all horse racing fans.  

Prestige is still a huge draw around the world and while the prize money at Royal Ascot is never going to be a deciding factor in any raiders from outside of Europe, the honour of having a winner still stands proud. Australia’s success at the meeting down the years will continue to inspire with Benedetta hoping to become the next in line.