Crafty trainer John Sadler caught bookmakers off-guard with a long-priced gamble on Benny Dee at Benalla on Tuesday.

The Kaphero gelding was backed in from $21 to $7 before winning the Merriwa Industries Hcp (1406m).  “It’s terribly hard to get buoyant about his chances,” Sadler said on the Aquanita Racing website prior to raceday.  “He’s gone out at big odds both times this preparation and has showed little to go on.”

Benny Dee turned that form-line around with the benefit of a good gate and a positive ride by Jake Duffy.  He sat outside the leader Private Benjamin before breaking away for a convincing victory.

It continued the winning run of Swettenham Stud stallion Kaphero who was among Australia’s Top 10 second-crop sires last season with 19 winners of 32 races.  He’s jumped the blocks again this season filling a Top 10 spot on the third-season ladder.

Benny Dee (3g Kaphero – The Gem by Scenic) was having his first start for Sadler after transferring from Peter Clarke.  The Caulfield owner-trainer had bought him from the Swettenham draft for $26,000 at the 2013 Melbourne Premier yearling sale.

His dam The Gem is a black-type sister to G2 Flemington winner Market Price and the family goes back to champion colt Red Anchor.

Swettenham owner Adam Sangster has his 2yo half-sister by Equiano and sold a half-brother by Equiano at the Inglis Sydney Weanling Sale in May.   The foal made $70,000 to the bid of Kiwi pin-hooker Ascot Farm and expect to see him at the 2015 Karaka yearling sale series.

The Gem’s latest foal is a filly by Host born on September 11.

Kaphero stands for a $5,500 (inc gst) fee at Swettenham Stud.