Michael Mehegan, a trainer from Mornington, had a memorable night at the races on Thursday. His three-year-old horse, The Benchmark, claimed the top spot in Heat 10 of the Ladbrokes Future Stars Series at Pakenham. This victory was particularly special as The Benchmark had been close to winning in its previous two races but faced a setback after its most recent outing at Sandown.
The Benchmark, sent out as the $2.90 favorite, settled off the pace under the skilled guidance of Lachlan Neindorf. As the race progressed, it got tight between The Benchmark and its main rival, Irreverent, in the home straight. However, The Benchmark managed to find a way to score and held on to win, despite a post-race protest.
Mehegan is no stranger to success in the racing world. He trained and co-owned the dam of The Benchmark, Prussian Vixen, who brought him significant wins in the 2017 and 2018 G3 Geoffrey Bellmaine Stakes. Mehegan expressed his excitement, praising Neindorf's great ride and highlighting the importance of The Benchmark's return after a sore back issue.
Earlier in the night, Neindorf and Enver Jusufovic's four-year-old horse, Plunger, dominated Heat 9 of the Future Stars Series in its very first start. Neindorf described Plunger as a 'really nice horse' and mentioned his positive impression from previous jumps, suggesting a promising future.
Now, all eyes are on the $250,000 Future Stars Series Final over 1400m at Pakenham on February 26, where The Benchmark and Plunger will look to continue their impressive form. But here's where it gets controversial... Will The Benchmark maintain its winning streak, or will it face new challenges in the final? And this is the part most people miss... The Future Stars Series is known for its unpredictable nature, and the final could bring unexpected twists. So, what do you think? Will The Benchmark reign supreme, or will a new star rise? Share your thoughts in the comments!
