Stable star Monegal got the 2019/20 season off to the perfect start by winning the TAB Handicap BenchMark 72 at Canterbury Racecourse on Wednesday August 7.
Monegal headed into the race having battled away in a number of tough previous encounters in town across similar distance.
With Brock Ryan riding for the second week in a row, Monegal started well early sliding into third place. With Positive Peace leading at the 1000m mark at a steady pace, Monegal was well placed to make a move. Inside the 600m she was able to make up distance on the leader before shifting gears with 100 to go.
The reigning Sapphire Coast Horse of the year Monegal stepped it up with a clear run and leaped home to claim it by half a length and in impressive fashion.
The city win gave Monegal her forth win from 15 starts with three placings in metropolitan starts.
What a fantastic way to start the new racing season with Monegal winning at Canterbury today ???. It was a well deserved metropolitan win for this tough little mare who has been racing super this preparation. Thank you Brock Ryan for a 10/10 ride and well done to Sally Faulks strapping her first city winner ?. Monegal was born and raised at Middlebrook Valley Lodge. We ended the 2018/2019 racing season winning the Trainers Premiership at Sapphire Coast and Monegal winning Horse of the Year and she kicks off the new season as a city winner! A huge congratulations to a fantastic group of owners and a massive thank you to everyone involved in our stables in helping us achieve these results
– Theresa Bateup