Benfica’s Best is Back to Best

Tara Madgwick - Saturday June 16

A stakes-winner at three, Godolphin's smart Benfica gelding Eusebio had too much class over his rivals when resuming from a spell at Moonee Valley on Saturday.

Eusebio - image Grant Courtney

Eusebio - image Grant Courtney

Tuned up with two recent barrier trial wins in Sydney for James Cummings, Eusebio was allowed to settle in the early stages of the 1200 metre sprint by Dwayne Dunn, but unwound a big finish under his 60.5kg to score a short half head win over the favourite Artie Dee Two.

Eusebio won the Listed Canberra Guineas last year to become the first stakes-winner for Aquis Farm's Benfica, a Group I winning son of Lonhro.

He has the overall record of four wins and three placings from 10 starts with prizemoney just shy of $180,000.

Eusebio is a half-brother to Group II winner Deferential and is the fourth winner for Quest for Fame (GB) mare Talent Time, who died in 2015.

He is the best horse to date sired by Benfica, who has been well received at Aquis Farm in Queensland covering over 120 mares in his first two seasons and stands at a fee of $4,400 this spring.

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