Written by Paul Vettise
Flying Start’s colours will be becoming a more familiar sight across Australia in the future.
That’s the view of director Cameron Bennett, who believes the best is yet to come from his Queensland-based syndication company.
“This is my third year and it can be hard to begin with and we’ve got a lot of young horses,” he said. “It’s a time thing and we’re hoping over the next two or three years we’ll really be away.
“We’ve got about 30 horses on the books and we buy tried horses as well.” – Cameron Bennett.
“We’ve got about 30 horses on the books and we buy tried horses as well. The babies take so long before they can get out there and race in my colours.”
Bennett celebrated a proud moment recently at Flemington last Saturday when Amphitrite (Sebring) remained unbeaten for the season after the Darren Weir-trained filly won the G2 Edward Manifold S.
“That was a great result and a good day for the business,” Bennett said. “We’ve got another younger horse with Darren, Above Authority who is a 2-year-old colt by Smart Missile.”
Adelaide purchase
Amphitrite was bought at the Magic Millions Adelaide Yearling Sale for $50,000 and is out of the Redoute’s Choice mare Ocean Dream, who is a half-sister to the G1 Toorak H., winner Marble Halls (NZ) (Nassipour {USA}).
“My price range is between $20,000 and $70,000, no more than that,” Bennett said.
“I like Sebring and she had a good page. I used to back Marble Halls a bit and I don’t mind buying fillies with residual value.
Watch: Amphitrite's win in the G2 Edward Manifold S.
“She was a very athletic filly, who’s needed a bit of time and she’ll get even better with age.”
“She was a very athletic filly, who’s needed a bit of time and she’ll get even better with age.” – Cameron Bennett.
The decision to back Amphitrite up in Saturday’s G1 Schweppes Thousand Guineas after winning the Edward Manifold was left with Weir.
“We were always leaning toward going that way, but we said to Darren it’s all your call,” Bennett said.
She will again be ridden by Craig Williams, who has been aboard the filly in all three starts this season.
Prior to establishing Flying Start, Bennett was involved in the industry for nearly two decades.
“I did the form for a professional punter for 12 years and sold horses as an agent for five years and I thought syndication was the way forward,” he said.
Flying Start Syndications director, Cameron Bennett
