Benedetta in first-up Lightning bid

Warren took over 18 boxes at Flemington that were previously occupied by Mathew Ellerton and gave Benedetta a jump-out down the straight in preparation for her racing return in the Group 1 sprint over 1000m on February 7. 

Benedetta finished third in the five-horse jump-out that was won by Lightning opponent Traffic Warden with Switzerland, favourite for Saturday's race, finishing fifth. 

Espionage and Isthmus, who also contested the jump-out, were not paid up at acceptance time to run in Saturday's race. 

Warren, who still has stables at Graebar Park, not far from Mornington where he has another base, said the Flemington stables were an ideal adjunct to his business. 

The Flemington stables allowed Warren to give Benedetta another look at the straight course she will be competing over on Saturday, having not raced at the track since last March when fourth in the Group 1 Yulong Newmarket Handicap (1200m). 

"She's terrific, and I'm really pleased with her," Warren said. 

"She enjoyed the hit-out down the Flemington straight, it was a nice surface for her. She did everything we wanted to see, if not even better." 

Warren said Benedetta had settled in well at Flemington, but he took advantage of taking the mare back to Graebar Park to have a quite week in the lead-up to the Lightning. 

He said Benedetta enjoys getting out into the paddock during the day before being boxed at night. 

"We had done all our lead up work, so we just wanted to have a nice happy week," Warren said. 

"She enjoys being at the farm and we also had the chance to take her down to the beach on Monday and Tuesday. 

"We've decided to keep her to her normal race day experience as she travels well, so we've kept her at the farm for as long as we can."