Siena Grima extends premiership lead as Maher lands Randwick double

This was Sky Thoroughbred Central’s host Gavin Carmody’s neat summation of the Cactus Imaging Handicap (1100m) at Royal Randwick on Saturday.

Grima, the star young rider, moved to 32 city wins and is two wins clear of nearest rival Braith Nock in the Sydney apprentices premiership when she rode her first winner for champion trainer Ciaron Maher on Benevac.

She made it count on Benevac, beginning brilliantly out of the barriers, dominating from the front and cruising home to a comfortable win.

Benevac does it easily and Siena Grima just keeps winning, that’s an early double at Randwick🌟@cmaherracing @dynamic_WONIT pic.twitter.com/KfvdWFnq0y

— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) July 11, 2026

Maher’s Sydney stable representative confirmed Benevac was the first winner Grima has ridden for the stable.

“Siena has only had a few rides for us before so it is great she has won for the stable on Benevac,” said Johann Gerard Dubord, Maher’s Sydney stable representative.

“She’s riding really well and did everything right on the horse.”

Striking chestnut Benevac ($2.70) led throughout and never looked in danger from immediate chaser Zoufame ($2.30 favourite) to win by two-and-three-quarter lengths with Escargoes ($6) a close third.

Gerard Dubord said Benevac is a lightly-raced, young sprinter who continues to improve with racing.

“He’s a lovely horse and we feel there is more to come from him,” Gerard Dubord said. “He’s got a lot of upside.”

Benevac, cleverly named as he’s by Godolphin’s boom, young sire Bivouac out of Houston Benefactor, was purchased by Dean and Adam Watt’s Dynamic Syndications for $140,000 at the Magic Millions Yearling Sale two years ago.

His Randwick win was the second of his career from 10 starts (plus five minor placings) and has more than repaid his purchase price amassing more than $290,000 prizemoney with the promise of more to come.

It was a day of firsts for some at the Randwick meeting with Eagle Farm-based trainer Todd Pollard preparing his first Sydney winner with All Kinds Of Folk in the Asahi Super Dry Handicap (1800m). In fact, All Kinds Of Folk was Pollard’s first runner in NSW with the trainer only taking out his licence in February.

Pollard has made a stunning start to his training career, with All Kinds Of Folk his 10th winner from just 44 starters including two Listed level wins.

“I don’t think we will keep that strike-rate going but I couldn’t have asked for a better start to my career,” he said.

“And to get a winner here at Randwick with my first runner is a very special moment for me.”

All Kinds Of Folk ($4.40 favourite), well ridden by champion jockey Kerrin McEvoy, ran down dashing front-runner Tambela ($4.80) near the line to win by a long neck with Existential Bob ($5.50) nearly three lengths away in third place.