Benicio gelding Private Label produced an explosive turn of foot inside the final furlong to record a comfortable win in today’s Glen Alpine 2yo Handicap (1400m) at Warwick Farm despite the wet conditions and heavy track.
The John O’Shea trained gelding was well supported following an eye catching half head second at Cessnock over 1150m earlier in the month and didn’t disappoint providing yet another 2yo winner for his sire.
A first crop son of Vinery stallion Benicio, today was Private Label’s third start and first time over 1400m and it seems he may only get better the more he races.
“It was a very good win and he’ll obviously appreciate a little bit further. He’s by a Derby winner, he’ll even run beyond the 1400m” Trainer John O’Shea told TVN, “I think he’ll probably run 2000m and if they can do that it opens a lot of avenues for them.”
A Derby winning 3yo, Benicio’s first crop are coming of age with Private Label the latest juvenile winner for the son of More Than Ready. Benicio has already tasted early Metropolitan 2yo success with Bernadecio and his first crop give every impression of improving further as 3yo’s.
His dam, Centrefold Spread, was a handy race mare whose career highlight came when second in the AJC Silver Shadow Gr.2 at Randwick splitting Angst and Bint Marscay. Centrefold Spread has produced nine foals to race for eight winners with Private Label potentially the best of her progeny.
The mare subsequently returned to Benicio in 2008 and produced a yearling full brother to Private Label which sold for $27,500 at this years inglis Classic Sale. Those that watched today’s win by Private Label may well consider that a very astute purchase.
