Benny’s back-end blitz all owner is focused on

By Josh Spasaro

Part-owner Chris Pratt won’t be watching on nervously if Backcreek Benny gets off to a customary sluggish start in the Legacy Classic Final at Albion Park on Thursday night.

That is because the 33-month-old goes into the $18,640 feature over 520m with nine consecutive wins.

And in each of those victories it took a stunning turn of foot over the back straight – after not beginning well – which allowed the black dog to storm through the finishing line.

“He’s just a dog who wants to win. Every race he’s won he’s been a length behind,” Pratt said.

“He falls out of the boxes, and maybe it’s his maturity, but he picks his run and knows where to go to stay out of trouble.

“And he just powers home.”

Last start in the Rockhampton Cup Final last Wednesday night, Backcreek Benny was third at the first turn, before exploding down the back straight and saluting by 5.25 lengths.

He recorded an impressive winning time of 29.71 seconds in the Group 2 feature.

Pratt said Backcreek Benny has only thrived under the care of Selena and Michael Zammit after his first start with them on October 19 last year.

He won his first race with them on December 27, before his streak of nine consecutive salutes began at Albion Park on January 30.

“He seems to balance himself. I think the two-turn track suits him,” Pratt said

“He’s had a couple of runs in Grafton, which never looked as good as what he’s done since he’s been to Brisbane with Mick and Selena, and what they’ve done with him.

“He’s a real confident dog. He’s a happy dog. He’s never been on the line – he’s always that far back off it.

“And he’s not just winning by a half-head – in the Rocky Cup he won by five lengths.

“I know dogs have done this before. But to win from the back nine times in a row is even more special.”

Pratt said Backcreek Benny made an instant impression on his Willow Vale-based conditioners.

“I can’t answer what they’ve found, whether he’s just matured,” he said.

“We know he had to get to a bigger track in Brisbane. Rob Andrews had him in Casino.

“He’s the one who introduced us to Mick and Selena, and he suggested ‘how about giving him to them?’

“We rang Mick, and he said ‘yeah, we’ll give him a month’s trial and see how he goes’.

“And he loves him. He said he’s a real easy dog to work with. He’s always happy, and Mick thinks with his confidence that he’s going from strength to strength.”

Pratt said he wasn’t worried about Backcreek Benny starting from box seven on Thursday night, after his Rockhampton Cup Final triumph from box two.

He also won his heat from the same lane.

“Where I had him from box two, I just thought that really suited him. He won his semi-final from box two,” he said.

“We’re happy with the inside draw because he’s closer to the fence on the inside draw, but he’s won races from out wide.

“He just seems to want to get to the line first. That’s the type of dog he is.

“He’s not overly a massive dog – he’s only 30.5kg, so there are bigger dogs he races against.”

Pratt will be trackside at Albion Park on Thursday night with part-owners from his syndicate, and they have all thoroughly enjoyed their journey so far.

“If you didn’t have him in a syndicate and you had him on his own, sure, you’d make more money,” he said.

“But you wouldn’t have as much fun like we have. We’re all going to Albion Park on Thursday night, with a public holiday Friday.

“And he’s got so much of a following now. It’s been a great ride.”