Group 1-winning mare Benedetta will head to the Queensland Winter Carnival with the 5-year-old's trainer Jason Warren looking forward to starting the 2024 Goodwood (G1) winner off in the May 17 Doomben Ten Thousand (G1), which attracted a field of 17 for the 1,200-meter (about six-furlong) event at Doomben Racecourse.
Benedetta placed eighth in the Stradbroke Handicap (G1) last year in her only winter start in Brisbane.
"She's settled in terrific," Warren told Racing.com. "She's been here nearly two weeks, we were able to give her a look at the Doomben course proper last Tuesday for a jump-out, and she handled the soft surface well.
"We took her to Doomben again this morning for another little pipe opener. We wanted to replicate that as best we could and out here we're able to get her out to a day yard and she's just happy in this more country environment. We wanted to come up here with fresh legs this year. This year we've really targeted the Queensland group 1s."
McDonald Back Aboard Sunshine In Paris
James McDonald will get back aboard Sunshine In Paris for the first time since their Champions Sprint (G1) success last November when he gets aboard the Annabel and Rob Archibald-trained mare in this weekend's Doomben Ten Thousand.
"He (James McDonald) has had one ride on her for one win and that was in the Champions Sprint, so we're hoping to be two from two in group 1s," Annabel Archibald told Racing.com.
"This prep he wasn't able to ride her, but he became available for this race. It's always hard and to be honest, Chad (Schofield) has ridden her 11 out of 10 all prep as well, but James is number one and he's had one ride on her for one group 1 win, so hopefully it's a good recipe.
"Sunshine In Paris is going really well," Archibald continued. "She's going to race in blinkers for the first time. She's got J-Mac on. She's drawn wide but she has all prep. She's obviously had a bit of a freshen between runs coming back in trip, but we're happy to have J-Mac on and all things being equal, if she gets the luck in running, I think she's one of the top chances."
