Barbass has taken out the $100,000 Inglis Challenge (1100m) at Scone to provide former Darley sire Benfica with his first winner.

Friday’s victory was also the most significant career success for young trainer Cameron Crockett.  “I’ve been saying for a while he’s the best I’ve had,” said Crockett.  “He only cost $4,000 as a yearling so I don’t think anyone thought they would see him winning here!”

Barbass (2g Benfica – Misasio by Strategic) sat three-wide and then strode clear to win by a length for the rookie conditioner from Mudgee.  “He’s a big-striding horse so it suited him to have some galloping room,” jockey Blake Shinn said.  “He quickened really well and put them to the sword.  He’s improving all the time.”

Barbass is a half-brother to minor winners by Mutawaajid and Strada and was purchased from the Guntawang Stud draft at the 2015 HTBA Scone yearling sale by owner Des Kennedy.  His dam Misasio won twice at Wyong for Guy Walter and she has a filly foal by Dreamscape and is back in foal to Benfica.

Benfica (Lonhro) won the G1 T J Smith Stakes in Brisbane and retired to Darley Kelvinside in 2012.  After covering four books, he has just been relocated to Aquis Farm at Canungra in Queensland.

BARBASS