racing

National Choice wins The Star Benchmark 80 Handicap: Post Race Trainer and Jockey Quotes

3 minute read

Trainer and jockey quotes following National Choice winning the The Star Benchmark 80 Handicap at Doomben on Saturday.

Race Result:

1st: National Choice (Robert Heathcote/Mark Du Plessis) - $6.50
2nd: The Drover (Natalie McCall/Nikita Beriman) - $5
3rd: Petunia (Kelly Schweida/Kyle Wilson-Taylor) - $26

Winning Time: 1:19.26 Last 600m: 35.19

Margins: Sh Neck x 1L

NATIONAL CHOICE winning the THE STAR BENCHMARK 80 Handicap at Doomben in Australia. Picture: Racing Photos

The rock-hard fit National Choice got a lovely run and gives Rob Heathcote a running double. pic.twitter.com/PidC1mHYEY
— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) May 13, 2023

Winning Trainer: Robert Heathcote

On inheriting the horse: "He came up to us in great order from Victoria (from the Mick Price and Michael Kent Jr stables) and he's just done nothing but thrive since he got here. I've given him a trip or two to the beach and he's just loving life. There goes the Class 3 Plate next Saturday, he's won four.

On the ride: "Mark Du Plessis, lovely ride. I said to Mark 'I expect you to be three pairs back, stay patient'. James McDonald (on Meritable - 9th) moved out and he took a gap that only brave jockeys take, so congratulations to Mark."

"Mark was worse than mid-field and slowly snuck up the inside. Give them credit when they get it spot on and Mark certainly did today."

On the ownership group: "Well done Adrenalin Thoroughbreds, huge supporters of mine they're great to train for and what an eye for a horse they have. They bought this as a tried horse and have a look at them, they're just having a ball."

On Prince Of Boom in the Doomben 10,000 later on the card: "I know one thing, he'll give 100%. Whether or not if he's good enough at this level, Giga Kick is the best sprinter in Australia, he's proven that. I just know my lad is ready to run a big race, whether he's good enough well time will tell."

Winning Jockey: Mark Du Plessis

On settling a few pairs back: "I was full of running, I had a lot of horse underneath me. To be honest I thought I would've been box seat. They ran hard to the first corner which is a nice change compared to the first two races."

On the horse: "He deserves everything he gets and thanks to Rob (Heathcote) and the owners."

12:58

THE STAR BENCHMARK 80 Handicap

WT: 53.5kg Type: BM80

AUD $85,000

1350m TURF GOOD

Silk

Horse, Age & Sex
Sire & Dam

Jockey
Trainer

SP
WT

1st

14. NATIONAL CHOICE (AUS) 5yo G
SNITZEL (AUS) - MY SABEEL (NZ)

MARK DU PLESSIS
ROBERT HEATHCOTE

$6.5
57kg

Adrenaline Thoroughbreds No 1, B M Robison, D R Thorley, P A Tasker, R D McCormick,Mr B Robinson, T J Hulme, G P Mondon, D A Lowrie, P L Rayner, Mrs C M Clark, E P J Gordon,G Licciardello, L C Harris, Mrs L A Mawby, BT Mawby, P Trowbridge & J D Maconachie

Sales Information
\| Inglis \| 2022 SEPTEMBER (Early) Online Sale (22) \| Adrenaline Thoroughbreds \| AUD $ 37,500		2022 SEPTEMBER (Early) Online Sale (22)			AUD $ 37,500
\| Inglis \| 2019 Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale (341) \| Blue Gum Farm, Euroa \| M G Price Racing & Breeding Pty Ltd / C B Bloodstock \| AUD $ 300,000		2019 Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale (341)	Blue Gum Farm, Euroa	M G Price Racing & Breeding Pty Ltd / C B Bloodstock	AUD $ 300,000

2nd

18. THE DROVER (AUS) 6yo G
BON HOFFA (AUS) - PURRPURRPERAM (AUS)

MS NIKITA BERIMAN
NATALIE MCCALL

$5
55.5kg

W J Noonan

3rd

16. PETUNIA (AUS) 5yo M
SEBRING (AUS) - COOGEE COOZIFA (AUS)

KYLE WILSON-TAYLOR
KELLY SCHWEIDA

$26
55.5kg

Wilrace Pty Ltd (Mgr: D G Wilson) & D G Wilson

Sales Information
\| Magic Millions \| 2019 Gold Coast Yearling Sale (472) \| Lyndhurst Stud Farm, Warwick, Qld \| Wilrace Pty Ltd \| AUD $ 95,000		2019 Gold Coast Yearling Sale (472)	Lyndhurst Stud Farm, Warwick, Qld	Wilrace Pty Ltd	AUD $ 95,000

4th

17. ARGYLE PINK (AUS) 4yo M
STAR WITNESS (AUS) - VALENTINE MISS (AUS)

ANGELA JONES
TONY GOLLAN

$7
52kg

Sales Information
\| Inglis \| 2020 Classic Yearling Sale (546) \| Widden Stud, Widden Valley \| John Foote Bloodstock / Tony Gollan Racing \| AUD $ 165,000		2020 Classic Yearling Sale (546)	Widden Stud, Widden Valley	John Foote Bloodstock / Tony Gollan Racing	AUD $ 165,000

5th

6. NOD OF THE HEAD (NZ) 5yo G
PER INCANTO (USA) - CAN'T KEEPER DOWN (NZ)

JADEN LLOYD
LISA LATTA

$26
59kg

Sales Information
\| NZB \| 2019 Ready to Run Sale of 2YOs (303) \| Kilgravin Lodge \| Lisa Latta Racing \| NZD $ 40,000		2019 Ready to Run Sale of 2YOs (303)	Kilgravin Lodge	Lisa Latta Racing		NZD $ 40,000
\| NZB \| 2019 Karaka National Yearling Sale - Book 1 (617) \| Little Avondale Stud \| Psd. NZD $ Res. NZD $ 60,000		2019 Karaka National Yearling Sale - Book 1 (617)	Little Avondale Stud		Psd. NZD $	Res. NZD $ 60,000

6th

11. SWANSTON (AUS) 5yo G
SMART MISSILE (AUS) - DEEMING (AUS)

TAYLOR MARSHALL
GREG KILNER

$41
59kg

Sales Information
\| Inglis \| 2020 APRIL Online Sale (77) \| Greg Kilner \| AUD $ 6,000		2020 APRIL Online Sale (77)			AUD $ 6,000
\| Inglis \| 2018 Great Southern Sale (171) \| Burnewang North Pastoral, Rochester \| Aquis Farm Pty Ltd \| AUD $ 42,000		2018 Great Southern Sale (171)	Burnewang North Pastoral, Rochester	Aquis Farm Pty Ltd	AUD $ 42,000

7th

3. DON'T STOP (AUS) 6yo G
MAHISARA (AUS) - GIRLS ALOUD (AUS)

JAMES ORMAN
PAUL N NOLAN

$26
61kg

Sales Information
\| Magic Millions \| 2018 Gold Coast March Yearling Sale (363) \| Wattle Brae Stud Darling Downs Qld \| Paul Nolan Jnr \| AUD $ 22,000		2018 Gold Coast March Yearling Sale (363)	Wattle Brae Stud Darling Downs Qld	Paul Nolan Jnr	AUD $ 22,000

8th

8. INDIAN DREAMER (AUS) 6yo G
SEPOY (AUS) - DREAMWORKER (AUS)

RYAN MALONEY
TOBY & TRENT EDMONDS

$21
59.5kg

Sales Information
\| Inglis \| 2018 Classic Yearling Sale (367) \| Marquee Stud, Willow Tree \| Edmonds Racing Pty Ltd \| AUD $ 100,000		2018 Classic Yearling Sale (367)	Marquee Stud, Willow Tree	Edmonds Racing Pty Ltd	AUD $ 100,000
\| Inglis \| 2017 Australian Broodmare and Weanling Sale (41) \| Marquee Stud, Willow Tree \| WITHDRAWN		2017 Australian Broodmare and Weanling Sale (41)	Marquee Stud, Willow Tree		Withdrawn

9th

2. MERITABLE (AUS) 4yo H
SNITZEL (AUS) - CRYSTAL FLUTE (AUS)

JAMES MCDONALD
ANNABEL NEASHAM

$3.1
61.5kg

Sales Information
\| Inglis \| 2023 SEPTEMBER (Early) Online Sale (4) \| Gb Bloodstock Nz \| AUD $ 80,000		2023 SEPTEMBER (Early) Online Sale (4)			AUD $ 80,000
\| Magic Millions \| 2020 Gold Coast Yearling Sale (209) \| Sledmere Stud, Scone, Nsw (As Agent) \| Psd. AUD $ 270,000 Res. AUD $ 300,000		2020 Gold Coast Yearling Sale (209)	Sledmere Stud, Scone, Nsw (As Agent)	Psd. AUD $ 270,000	Res. AUD $ 300,000

10th

19. MISS BALTIMORE (AUS) 5yo M
STARSPANGLEDBANNER (AUS) - INVITED (AUS)

TYLER SCHILLER
BRYAN DAIS

$26
54kg

Sales Information
\| Inglis \| 2024 APRIL (Early) Online Sale (163) \| R Manwaring \| AUD $ 4,000		2024 APRIL (Early) Online Sale (163)		R Manwaring	AUD $ 4,000
\| Magic Millions \| 2023 Gold Coast National Broodmare Sale (692) \| Twin Hills Stud, Cootamundra, Nsw (As Agent) \| WITHDRAWN		2023 Gold Coast National Broodmare Sale (692)	Twin Hills Stud, Cootamundra, Nsw (As Agent)		Withdrawn

11th

7. OCEAN TREATY (NZ) 6yo M
OCEAN PARK (NZ) - STRIKER (NZ)

CEJAY GRAHAM
S O'DEA & M HOYSTED

$31
57kg

Sales Information
\| NZB \| 2018 Karaka National Yearling Sale - Book 1 (630) \| Haunui Farm \| Proven Thoroughbreds / Alexander Racing \| NZD $ 200,000		2018 Karaka National Yearling Sale - Book 1 (630)	Haunui Farm	Proven Thoroughbreds / Alexander Racing	NZD $ 200,000

12th

13. KOSCIUSKO (AUS) 8yo G
ALL TOO HARD (AUS) - ZAUBERIN (AUS)

NATHAN EVANS
MITCH FAULKNER

$91
57kg

Sales Information
\| Magic Millions \| 2016 Gold Coast National Yearling Sale (1671) \| Baramul Stud Widden Valley Nsw \| Psd. AUD $ 80,000 Res. AUD $ 85,000		2016 Gold Coast National Yearling Sale (1671)	Baramul Stud Widden Valley Nsw	Psd. AUD $ 80,000	Res. AUD $ 85,000

13th

5. VIRAL (AUS) 7yo G
AL MAHER (AUS) - TYCHE (AUS)

M POTGIETER
RENITA BEATON

$151
58kg

14th

1. CONSTANT FLIGHT (AUS) 8yo G
WRITTEN TYCOON (AUS) - LITTLEMISS SANDOWN (AUS)

NASH RAWILLER
LINDSAY GOUGH

$12
61.5kg

Sales Information
\| Inglis \| 2023 JANUARY (Late) Online Sale (42) \| W Mumford \| AUD $ 14,286	2023 JANUARY (Late) Online Sale (42)			AUD $ 14,286
\| Inglis \| 2023 JANUARY (Early) Online Sale (144) \| Passed In	2023 JANUARY (Early) Online Sale (144)			AUD $
\| Magic Millions \| 2016 Gold Coast National Yearling Sale (1832) \| Attunga Stud Scone Nsw (As Agent) \| Darby Racing/Vandyke Racing \| AUD $ 220,000	2016 Gold Coast National Yearling Sale (1832)	Attunga Stud Scone Nsw (As Agent)	Darby Racing/Vandyke Racing	AUD $ 220,000
\| Magic Millions \| 2016 Adelaide Yearling Sale (200) \| Noor Elaine Farm Pty Ltd Euroa Vic \| Trevor Luke \| AUD $ 100,000	2016 Adelaide Yearling Sale (200)	Noor Elaine Farm Pty Ltd Euroa Vic	Trevor Luke	AUD $ 100,000