Glen Thompson’s challenging season found its silver lining on Saturday when Benagil delivered him his first Group 1 win in the Australasian Oaks (2000m) at Morphettville.
With champion jockey Mark Zahra in the saddle, Benagil proved too good for her rivals, bringing much-needed joy to Thompson, whose training journey has been anything but smooth over recent months.
Thompson had joined forces with Mike Moroney at the start of the 2024-25 season but was thrust into sole leadership following Moroney’s death in February. He made an immediate impact, securing a winning double at Caulfield, which included Benagil’s triumph in the VOBIS Guineas.
More recently, he faced another major transition as Ballymore Stables was absorbed by the Lindsay Park operation, though he managed to secure 20 boxes at Flemington to continue training independently.
“It’s been a tough few weeks, but I’ve just been trying to focus on today,” Thompson said.
“We got her here in as good an order as we could, and I thought she was spot on today and she raced like it.”
Starting the $3.10 favourite with betting sites, Benagil claimed a 1-¼ length victory over rank outsider Sweltering ($201), with Polymnia ($4.60) close up in third.
Thompson said Benagil’s talent had been evident for some time, but she had taken a leap forward this preparation.
After a luckless fifth-place finish in the Thousand Guineas last spring, she showcased her quality again when finishing runner-up behind Treasurethe Moment in the Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m) earlier this month.
“She came back as a three-year-old in the spring and was very unlucky in the Thousand Guineas and those sort of races, and she’s just gone to another level this time,” Thompson said.
“There was a little bit of pressure there to stay in Sydney and run in the Oaks, but this was a much better option for her, and she proved us right today.
“It’s good to get Mark on, he’s one of the best in the land, so I was very lucky to get him on board.”
Future plans could see Benagil campaign in Queensland, depending on how she recovers from Saturday’s effort.
Zahra praised the training performance of Thompson, who has expertly managed the filly through a taxing preparation.
“He’s a great trainer, Glen,” Zahra said.
“He’s had times on his own before and is training by himself now.
“He needs the support, but he’s just done a great job with his filly, and she looked fantastic.
“She’s gone from Melbourne then to Sydney, then back to here.
“It’s a long prep, and you’ve got to be a good trainer to be able to peak every time.
“She looked great today, and she flogged them.”
