The Lindsay Park Racing juggernaut has continued its domination of the country racing scene, with the Ben, Will and JD Hayes-led operation taking out the 2025 Benalla Cup with Plymouth last Friday at Benalla Racecourse.

The reigning back-to-back Country Racing Victoria Trainers of the Year clinched the $125,000 marquee event, with their four-year-old gelding, ridden by Blaike McDougall, prevailing by half a length in a thrilling finale.

As gates flung open and the field set off over the 2100m trip, the heavy favourite, Plymouth, didn’t have the greatest of jumps and was initially stuck five-wide, but moved quickly up to settle into second behind early leader Miss Tarzy, just one off the rail.

McDougall held his position until the home straight, quickly taking the lead by just over a length, and while his rivals tried their best, they were unable to swallow up Plymouth, which held on for a famous win by half a length from Chasing Aphrodite to mark Lindsay Park’s first Benalla Cup since Viz Vitae triumphed in 2007.

“It was a brilliant ride,” JD Hayes told Racing.com following the victory.

“Blaike looked like he was going to get caught wide, and just used his initiative to push forward, and it was really good.

“It was a tough effort by the horse, it looked like he was going to get collared late, but he fought hard, and he’s going to get better as the races get longer, I feel, too, so a terrific win.”

It was an emotional victory for the Euroa-based operation, with Plymouth having been inherited from former trainer Michael Moroney — the trainer of 2000 Melbourne Cup winner Brew — who passed away from cancer in February.

“It looked like it was going away from him late, but it was terrific to get a win for Rupert Legh and the colours and the owners, and obviously the late Mike Moroney,” JD said.

“We’ve been so lucky to inherit so many nice horses, and he (Plymouth) is certainly one of them, and we’re not lost in that.

“It’s great that these horses are still kicking on, and Mike was the one to select them, he was a great horseman and a terrific judge of a horse.

“I think this horse is now just coming of age, and is on to bigger and better things, it’s a great start.”

Elsewhere, Chris Waller kicked off proceedings with a win for She Moves Too in the day’s opening race, the Benalla Timber Products Maiden Plate, with the $2.60 favourite triumphing by half a length.

Wangaratta-based trainer Timothy Grace saluted next with rank outsider Hayatake in the second race of the day, the Marshalls+Dent+Wilmoth Lawyers Maiden Plate, delivering a massive $51 winner after storming from last with 400m to go to win by one and a half lengths.

Unobscured was too strong in the FOOTT Maiden Plate, handing trainer Steven King a victory in race three, as was Biden Time in the Extons BM62 Handicap for trainer Steve Richards, passing the post three and a half lengths clear of second.

Immerse was immense in race five, the Malua Racing BM62 Handicap, beating favourite Documentary by half a length to make it a successful outing for trainers Tony and Calvin McEvoy, while Jason Warren claimed the win in the Ryan and McNulty BM70 MCC Country Series Heat with Dark Journey.

Annabel and Rob Archibald claimed a winner with Sacrify in race seven, the Riverbank Farm BM62 Handicap, with reigning CRV Jockey of the Year Linda Meech steering home the win, while Seymour father and son duo Lee and Shannon Hope took out the final race of the day, the bet365 - Weary Dunlop BM70 Handicap, with a dominant performance from Royal Lass.

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Sunday, 2nd May 2027

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