FILLY’S NEWCASTLE BREAKTHROUGH A NICE BONUS FOR SURE

THE best laid plans went astray the first time – but not the second time!

Hawkesbury trainer Marc Chevalier has travelled near and far to win a $100,000 Inglis Xtra Bonus race with lightly-raced three-year-old filly Stand My Ground, and was rewarded when she put the icing on the cake with a Newcastle Super Maiden victory today.

And Chevalier’s Hawkesbury compatriot Steve O’Halloran followed later in the program by scoring with $26 roughie Benamera, sporting the well-known colours of breeder-owner Bob Hannon.

En route home late this afternoon Chevalier revealed he had actually set Stand My Ground for a 1600m Maiden at a Pakenham night meeting in Victoria (which also was an Inglis Xtra Bonus race) a few weeks ago, but had to bring her home without even getting to the post.

“I took Stand My Ground south and was based at Cranbourne and had Jamie Melham booked for the ride, but the filly had a temperature on the morning of the race, so I had to scratch her and come home,” he said.

“Not being able to run at Pakenham, I trialled Stand My Ground again and she ran second in a 1206m heat at Warwick Farm on March 2.

“I was pretty confident she was ready to win today.”

Ironically Stand My Ground’s owner, Penrith doctor Ulysess Crosson, also was grounded with a headache.

“Dr Crosson planned to come to Newcastle today, but woke up with a headache and watched the race from home,” Chevalier said.

“I don’t think the headache was troubling him when Stand My Ground won (the filly was a solidly backed $2.20 favorite).”

Dr Crosson paid $30,000 for the North Pacific filly at the 2024 Inglis HTBA yearling sale in Sydney, and she made her debut when fourth in a 1500m Newcastle Maiden on October 2 last year before being turned out for a break.

“Stand My Ground has a massive action and I knew early on in her work that she would not be a sprinter,” Chevalier said.

“She hasn’t got a staying pedigree, but I’m sure she will run 2400m (hence Chevalier entered her for the Group 1 ATC Oaks over that distance at Royal Randwick next month during The Championships).

“I’ll see how she pulls up, and have a chat with Dr Crosson as to whether we give her the chance to get to the Oaks.”

Chevalier underscored his ability by preparing Stand My Ground to win first-up at 1600m, and hopes to double up at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday with stablemate Everyone’s A Star (who races in the same colours) in the Midway Benchmark 72 Handicap (1200m).

“She is going really well this preparation,” Chevalier said. “We just need some luck in the run from an awkward draw.”

Stand My Ground was the first of four Newcastle winners for her rider Tyler Schiller, who also gave Steve O’Halloran a good result by landing the Provincial Benchmark 64 Handicap (1400m) on Benamera, who led home a Hawkesbury quinella, defeating Brad Widdup’s Bondi Blossom ($11).

A four-year-old by Cosmic Force, Benamera won his second race and his trainer wasn’t surprised at all in spite of his generous odds.

“He had no luck in running first-up at Canberra over 1200m last month, and getting to 1400m suited him better,” O’Halloran said.

“Benamera galloped with stablemate Mal Coupe (who chases his sixth win on end at Rosehill on Saturday) on the course proper at Hawkesbury last Saturday morning, and his work was good.

“I would have been disappointed if he didn’t run well today.”

Whilst Hannon bred Benamera, the gelding is raced by a syndicate which includes Novocastrian Greg Wilson.

“Greg and his wife were at the track today, and obviously were thrilled to see their horse win,” O’Halloran said.

Newcastle apprentice Will Stanley is indeed on a roll.

He followed his last race Warwick Farm victory yesterday on Newcastle trainer Mark Minervini’s Hanau by posting a home track double today, bookending the program.

Stanley won the opener, the 900m Maiden Plate on his boss Kris Lees’ Twoexcel ($5), and the closer, the Conditional Benchmark 68 Handicap (1600m) on fellow Newcastle trainer Paul Perry’s $14 shot General Soho.

Unfortunately Stanley incurred RacingNSW stewards’ wrath for illegal whip use on General Soho.

His suspension begins on March 20 and expires on March 24.

STORY JOHN CURTIS, MARCH 12, 2026 - PICS BRADLEY PHOTOS