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Queensland trainer Tony Brett is hoping Benarkin can make a big enough impression during the Group 3 Big Dog Cup (600m) series starting at Albion Park on Thursday night to earn an invitation to contest the Group 1 Macro Meats Rookie Rebel (600m) at The Meadows on February 15.
Benarkin (pictured) is first-up since finishing a gallant third behind Dyna Willow and Destini Fireball in the Group 2 Sportingbet Summer Distance Plate Final (720m) at Wentworth Park on January 18, a series that Brett said has rejuvenated the son of Path To Power and Velocity Cloud.
"The trip away has done him the world of good; it has given him a new lease of life," Brett said.
"Before I took him to Sydney I would take him out to the stir up here and he could not care less. But at Wentworth Park he went completely off his head and has put a bit of a skip back in his step which is nice."
Benarkin led the Summer Distance Plate field until the home straight when he was overhauled by the top two, but both Smart Valentino and Lucy Wires finished behind him.
"I was just over the moon running third because he was a fifth grade dog in a group final and had never raced against that calibre of opposition," Brett said.
"He can run out the 700m but he is just not up to that class.
"I'm sure he'll go through his grades if I continue with him over the staying trip.
"He has been included in the first draft of invites for both the Rookie Rebel and the Zoom Top (725m) so I thought I'd go back to 600m for the Big Dog Cup and if he performs well in the heat and final he might get an invite into the Rookie Rebel.
"There's not a lot between the good 600m dogs so if he can show some form at the right time it increases his chances of an invitation."
Benkarkin has won six of his nine starts over the 600m at Albion Park and has drawn box eight in the second of two heats on Thursday night.
"He had a freshen-up after we got back from Sydney and he had a 300m trial at my local track up here and went as quick as my sprinters so I couldn’t be happier with him," Brett said.
"Box eight from the 600m start is a bit tough unless he really comes out running, but he tends to run a straight line to the first turn so hopefully he'll avoid any early trouble and I expect him to go well."
Best Bet: Benarkin (Race 6)
Best Value: Wag Tail (Race 5)
Quaddie: Race 5 - 1, 5, 7
Race 6 - 8, 4
Race 7 - 4, 1
Race 8 - 3, 6, 8
$20 for 55.55%
