A tough strong win for Bennett 4yo Stay Silent at Sandown on Wednesday ,saw the 4yo bring up his 4th win and 3rd this prep. The gelding was on the seven day back up after an unlucky run last start at Sandown over 1400m.
After jumping ok for apprentice Jabez Johnstone (59.5), Stay Silent pressed on hard for the lead assuming control although pressed by another runner. Jabez set a good solid tempo throughout and the 2 horses kicked a couple of lengths clear on the turn. Into the straight he was there to be beaten but he kept finding, the fact he went on to win showed his courage. This win was aided by a great ride by Jabez who certainly not only rode him like the best horse but made the others in the field work to get to him.
Stay Silent has always shown good ability and was stakesplaced as a 2yo over 1600m. He remained winless in 8 starts until late into his 3yo year where after a change of trainer saw him break his maiden 1st up in July at Geelong and 2 more wins at Sale and Cranbourne have followed since before Wednesdays win.
That was Stay Silents 11th run this prep which started with a 4th on a hard track at Cranbourne way back on Jan 10th. He has won 3 races, placed 2nd twice, 3rd
once and 4th twice – 8 top 4 finishes from 11 runs and he has earnt over $87K in prizemoney this prep. He is now a Metro Winner and Stakes Placed at 2. The win took Stay Silent’s overall record to 23 starts, 4 – 3 – 3 $179,305
Stay Silent was a 145k purchase at the 2022 Magic Millions Sale from the Newgate Farm draft. He is the best of 2 winners for the American import Paulita. A winner of two Listed races, Paulita is a daughter of Champion siree Scat Daddy ( sire of Justify etc ) out of the 6 time stakes winner Blind Date who counted the Gr3 Virginian Oaks amongst her victories. Stay Silent is from a good International Black type family and has always shown the potential to run further with his first 3 dams all being stakeswinners and winning out to 1800m.
Congratulations to all owners and a big thankyou to Ciaron Maher and his Team for managing Stay Silent so well throughout his preparation.