Brayden Star wins the Benalla Gold Cup

By Hamish Donaldson

Oct 3, 2023

Star runner: Brayden Star (GB) ridden by Daniel Moor wins the Bet365 Benalla Gold Cup at Benalla Racecourse on September 29. Photos: Jay Town/Racing Photos Photo by Jay Town

“Never back the favourite” is a phrase that echoes around racing meets across the globe, but in Benalla’s main race, the bookies had it spot on.

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Ridden by jockey Daniel Moor, Brayden Star entered the Benalla Gold Cup as the favourite.

But out of the gates, the thoroughbred sat in the back four.

Happy days: Brayden Star (GB) with trainer Natalie Young in the mounting yard after winning the Bet365 Benalla Gold Cup. Photo by Jay Town

The Natalie Young and Trent Busuttin-trained horse got to the outside and started its move through the field on the final corner.

Brayden Star surged down the straight to win the race by a length and a half over nearest rival Arran Bay.

The Gold Cup win strengthens the European import’s claim to a Caulfield Cup start later this month.

Pulling ahead: Brayden Star (GB) ridden by Daniel Moor wins the Bet365 Benalla Gold Cup. Photo by Jay Town

Off and on the track, the Benalla Gold Cup day went off without a hitch.

Cameron Symes, CEO of the Benalla Racing Club, was pleased with how the day unfolded.

“The day was sensational,” Symes said.

“The crowd was just up from last year to 2106 (attendees).

“Booking were good. The Slingsby Gin Marque this year was clearly a fan favourite.

“The weather was fantastic, 25 degrees, no breeze, no rain in the lead-up, it made the set-up that much easier.

“We were all saying how comfortable we were with the set-up and how smoothly it had gone.

“The club would like to thank all our sponsors and the community for coming out and supporting this great day.

“Winning club of the year, you put yourself in the spotlight, and to see everyone come out and support the day, we’d just like to thank everyone who came.”

While no locally trained horses were in the main race, new locals took out three lead-up races.

First date: Red Dates, ridden by Danny Beasley, wins the Benalla Timber Products 3-Y-O Fillies Maiden Plate. Photo by Jay Town

Leon and Troy Corstens, who train out of the new on-track facilities at the Benalla Racing Club, won the day’s first race with Red Dates.

Things only got better for Malua Corstens Racing as the trainers took out race four with Zourata, ridden by Liam Riordan and race five with Suigetsu, ridden by Blaike McDougall.

Symes was ecstatic to see the investment in new on track facilities already paying off.

“It’s that exciting to see Troy (Corstens) and his team, led by Fiona (Watts), up here in Benalla,” he said.

“To see them get three (winners) on the day is just outstanding, and it’s great to see what you can do when you have stables on course. It’s benefiting all parties.”

Out in front: Suigetsu (NZ), ridden by Blaike McDougall, wins the Rangedale Drainage & Industrial Services BM64 Handicap. Photo by Jay Town

The 2023 Victoria Racing Club’s Country Achiever Award recipient, Wayne Nichols, could not make impact at his home track as Rolihlahla ran seventh.

Local duo, trainer Peter Burgun and jockey Shirley Hunter, managed a top-three finish as their only runner, Lord Domino, finished joint third as the thoroughbred crossed the line level with Belthil.

The next big day on the Benalla Racing Club calendar is the Living Here Christmas Party Races on December 16.