Under a smart front running ride by Lachlan Neindorf, Bennett Racing’s smart 3yo gelding Stay Focused recorded an overdue win at Moonee Valley over 1500m on Saturday. The 3yo taking the older more experienced gallopers jumped well in the 1500m race and soon assumed control in front. Lochie had him in a good rhythm throughout, sneaking some slower sectionals as the 3yo seemed to relax quite well under him. The rain effected track copped quite a bit of criticism for being quite chopped up but Stay Focused handled it best and when Lochie set him loose down the side the 3yo kicked clear. Still holding a 2 Len advantage into the straight the 1500m started to take its toll on Stay Focused and half way down the straight he began to slow. Although hard pressed close to the line, the 3yp held on to prevail by a head in what was a very tough effort.
Always promising a lot from his winning debut in the Geelong Diamond, Stay Focused was 2nd in the Gr3 Blue Diamond Prelude at his next start. He was the first colt home in that years Blue Diamond Stks Gr1. He resumed as a 3yo with a 3d MRC HDF McNeil S., Gr.3 before eventually being gelded. Reesuming as a gelding in January ’25 Stay Focused was unplaced as favourite in the Listed Durbridge Stks in Adelaide before leading them up and fading in the Gr3 CS Hayes Stks. At his last start he again lead the Gr1 Australian Guineas field until the 200m eventually finishing a very respectable 3.6 Len 6th behind Feroce.
Stay Focused has adapted a front running role in his races and usually resents being held up, often pulling hard in his races. The 3yo will aim to go to the Listed Nitsche Stks in Adelaide in a couple of weeks.
The Moonee Valley win took Stay Focused overall career: 10 starts, 2 – 1 – 1 $310,000.
Stay Focused was a 250k purchase from the 2023 MM Gold Coast Yearling Sale from Sledmere Stud. He is from the 1st crop of promising sire Cosmic Force from the Galileo mare Coral Reef. He is a ¾ brother to Gr3 pl Ningaloo Star, a ½ brother to Gr3 pl Miss Moana & Listed pl Hollywood Mo, a ¾ brother to Bennett Racings Beauty Rising and a ½ brother to Bennett Racing’s Apache Star.
Congratulations to all owners in Stay Focused and thankyou to Phillip Stokes and his Team for getting the 3yo up and ready to win again.
