Benitoite proves too strong at Caulfield

Clinton McDonald has prepared Benitoite for her fifth win from seven starts in a debut campaign.

An old adage of the late Ross McDonald sprung to the mind of his son Clinton after Benitoite landed a come-from-behind win at Caulfield.

In her first racing preparation, Benitoite’s victory in Saturday’s Black Caviar Tribute Handicap was her fifth from seven starts.

McDonald is unsure how much further into the spring Benetoite can go and thought of his father post-race.

“As the old man used to say, you never turn out a mare in winning form,” McDonald said.

Under Damien Oliver, Benitote ($4.80) weaved a passage through the field to win by a long neck from Room To Rhyme ($101).

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McDonald said he would assess how the mare recovers before deciding on a program.

“We’ll get her home, we’ll have a discussion with the guys and see which way they want to go and work out a plan,” McDonald said.

“She’s coping really well with her racing and presented better today than at any of her other runs.”

A daughter of 2010 Melbourne Cup winner Americain, Benitoite will handle a longer trip.

Oliver said there was some hair-raising moments near the turn after Rat With Goldtooth, ridden by Jordan Childs, stumbled.

“I thought Jordan was gone there for a minute and I’d be running over the top him,” Oliver said.