3 minute read

Stakes placed filly Houston Benefactor will be searching for her first win under new trainer Ron Quinton when she contests the Nitto Benchmark 80 Handicap (1400m) this Saturday at Warwick Farm.

Having changed trainers three times in her short career, the daughter of Encosta De Lago has always shown a lot of promise but has often proven a punter's nightmare collecting only two wins from fifteen starts.

"We have always known she's had a lot of ability, it's just that she has continued to make a lot of costly mistakes in her races,' Quinton said.

Arriving at her new Sydney base in June, Quinton elected it was best to approach the filly with a very open mind.

"I realised she's had a few issues in her time so I knew I would just have to start all over again with her." Quinton said.

"She's since settled in really well since she's arrived and we've been very happy with her work.

"The trouble with some fillies and mares is that they often take a long time to forget their bad experiences so we've just had to really try and keep her happy.'

Quinton has elected to take the blinkers off Houston Benefactor heading into Saturday after consulting with in-form jockey Glyn Schofield following her seventh at Warwick Farm last start.

"I've decided to take the blinkers off her for Saturday after Glynn (Schofield) and I had a bit of chat,' Quinton said.

"He rode her during the week and feels she will be a lot better suited without them.

"I feel there was a lot of merit in her last run, she finished seventh but was only beaten two and a half lengths.

"Glyn (Schofield) was forced to make a long sustained run on and she only really died on her run over the concluding stages.”

Renowned for her ongoing barrier issues, Quinton has decided to head into Saturday without a plan leaving it all up to Schofield.

"We'll head into Saturday with no plan, I'm going to leave it up to Glynn (Schofield) to decide where she sits in the run,' Quinton said.

"Depending how she starts and how much speed is in the race, he'll ride her the best that he sees suits.

"He's the captain on Saturday and I have my full faith in him.'

Quinton will also saddle up progressive mare Irish Dream in the Listed Winter Challenge (1600m) after her narrow win in the Listed Winter Stakes last start.

"This race appears to be quite similar to her last start win but she does creep up a bit in the weights so only time will tell,' Quinton said.

"I'm very happy with both horses heading into Saturday and expect them both to run well.'