A professional display from speedy Otaki visitor De Armas (NZ) (Ardrossan) paved the way for a decisive victory in the first stakes race on Saturday’s Pukekohe programme, the Listed Counties Challenge Stakes (1100m).
Trainer Johno Benner trekked north with the daughter of Ardrossan, who went into the race off the back of an 850m trial victory at Foxton earlier in the month, following a winning debut on her home track in September.
Benner had been content to give his charge plenty of time to get over that win on a testing Heavy10 surface and came into Saturday’s contest with the express purpose of gaining a guaranteed start in the rich TAB Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m) at Ellerslie on January 24.
Rider Kelly Myers had De Armas away smartly from the starting gates and outside pacemaker With A Vengeance (Exceed And Excel) after just 150m, where the pair matched motors into the home straight.
Myers pushed the go button at the 200m and the filly bounded clear and she held her two-length advantage comfortably to the winning post from the fast-finishing favourite Harvey Wallbanger (NZ) (Home Affairs), who charged home from last of the nine runners on the home bend.
Benner, who shares in the ownership of the filly with some long-standing friends and stable clients, cut an emotional figure as he thanked those who have supported him after some trying times in recent months.
“It’s special in a lot of ways as it’s been topsy turvy of late,” Benner said.
“I’ve been to the top of this industry and there has been a lot (of water) go under the bridge, so to have those loyal owners help me get back here means a lot.
“I needed some down time to process things, but the love of the horse never went anywhere.”
Benner had made no secret of the fact he rated De Armas highly and went further in his opinion of her following the race.
“I think she is the best horse I have put a saddle on,” he said. “I’ve said it to a few people, but I’ve tried to put a lid on it.
“I think she is going to be a better three-year-old, but coming here today has given me the option not to have to come back up here again (until Karaka Millions night).
“She is a beautiful cut of a filly and I don’t want to sound silly, but I said over breakfast I think she will win today and I can put her away with 11 weeks to Ellerslie and I won’t need to run her again.”
TAB Bookmakers reacted swiftly, installing the filly as the $3.50 Fixed Odds favourite for the Karaka Millions 2YO.
Myers backed up Benner’s assessment of De Armas when questioned in the birdcage after unsaddling her mount.
“That’s a big statement as he has trained some good horses, but I just love this filly,” she said. “It was just her second start today and we had a sticky barrier, but she is just class.
“She was able to put herself right there and I knew they wouldn’t catch her as the further she goes the faster she gets.
“The scary thing is she looks like she will be a better three-year-old, so who knows what we have got.”
Benner secured De Armas from the 2025 National Online Yearling Sale for $16,000 and she has now returned over $86,000 in prizemoney from her two starts to date.