Houston Benefactor Debuts For New Trainer

Houston Benefactor will have her first start for new trainer Ron Quinton when she lines up at Canterbury tomorrow.

It will be the second change of trainer for the three-year-old filly, who spent her first eight runs with Anthony Cummings before being moved to John Sadler for five starts.

The owners of the Encosta De Lago filly will now try their luck with Quinton, who has been thrust into the spotlight after a successful autumn carnival.

Quinton trained a number of winners during the Sydney autumn, including Ofcourseican, who won the Group 1 Coolmore Classic third-up.

The trainer is hopeful he can begin Houston Benefactor’s preparation with a win in the Australian Turf Club Handicap tomorrow.

Thus far, Houston Benefactor has won two of her 13 starts and has earned close to $80,000 in prize money.

“We have had her for around two and a half weeks and she has come up from Melbourne in very good order,” said Quinton.

“She has only won the couple of races one of them a Class 1 at Sale three starts back but I heard she has a couple of issues and is quite difficult to ride.

“The owners have sent her up because there are more opportunities for her in some fillies and mares races, and tomorrow will be a learning curve for us but I have been happy with what she has done.”

It will be almost three weeks between runs for Houston Benefactor, who’s most recent result came when fourth in the $70,000 Hilton Nicholas Handicap at Flemington on June 9.

Quinton will also be testing another of his new stable additions, Spinhro, who will run in Race 5 at Canterbury tomorrow.

The promising three-year-old was transferred to Quinton by Norm Stephens, who currently trains in Queensland and retains a share in the horse.

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