Breakthrough for Benicio at Eagle Farm

Veteran trainer Jim Atkins launched the stud career of Victoria Derby winner Benicio when he produced Bernadecio to win the Subiaco Hcp (1000m) at Eagle Farm on Wednesday.  

Bernadecio became the first winner for the Vinery based sire who bowed out of racing after winning the G1 Victoria Derby in 2005.   She started a $3 favourite after a promising second to Last Tango at Ipswich on February 11.  The Toowoomba based filly travelled worse than midfield on debut but led from the front yesterday.  

Bernadecio (2f Benicio – Bintang by Al Hareb) is a half-sister to winners by Gilded Time, Real Quiet, Xaar, King of Kings and Spinning World.  “She’s on the small side but was a late November foal,” Atkins said after the win.  “She a very promising filly and will keep developing into a nice three year-old.”

Bernadecio is raced by Jack and Diana Krygsman who also raced her dam Bintang with Atkins back in the late 1990s.  She won at Doomben (4), Eagle Farm, Ipswich and at her home track in the 1997 Toowoomba Breeders Plate.

Bintang delivered another late (colt) foal by Benicio in 2008 and, after a year off, was covered by Excites last September.

Benicio (More Than Ready) is an older half-brother of G2 Moonee Valley Fillies Classic winner Romneya (Red Ransom).  Their dam Mannington (Danehill) is a G3 winning half-sister to G1 Coolmore Classic winner Bollinger.  Second dam Bint Marscay (Marscay) was a G1 winner of the STC Golden Slipper.

Bollinger was exported to Vinery’s Kentucky base and she is the dam of Friesan Fire (A P Indy) who was a G2 winner of the 2009 Louisiana Derby.  He returned from an enforced lay-off to win the Louisiana Hcp (LR) in New Orleans last month.

Benicio stands for an $8,800 fee and has averaged over 100 mares during his four seasons at Vinery.