Prompt Return has lived up to his name with a debut victory for ill-fated Arrowfield Stud sire Beneteau at Bendigo.

The Danny O’Brien trained youngster started a firming $2.60 favourite before a convincing victory in the Elmore 2YO Plate (900m) on Saturday.  He won from the front-end and was too big and too strong for a field of first-timers.

O’Brien said it was a “nice debut” for the colt who was bred by Ron Hamer.  He sold for $60,000 to Blue Sky Bloodstock at the 2014 Gold Coast Magic Millions and Hamer kept a share with fellow part-owner Mark Sowerby.

Prompt Return (2c Beneteau – Prompt by Exceed And Excel) is the second named foal for her dam following the Peter Moody trained filly Diamond Glow (Bel Esprit).  She won the VOBIS Gold Carat at Caulfield on debut and then finished second to Miracles of Life in last year’s LR Blue Diamond Preview.

Hamer has a yearling filly from the second and final crop by Beneteau who was put down in January 2013 following the onset of a severe neurological condition.

Beneteau (Redoute’s Choice) was sold for $1 million to Blue Sky Thoroughbreds at the 2009 Inglis Easter Yearling Sale and, in the hands of trainer Paul Messara, quickly proved to be one of Australia’s most promising juveniles.

After a sparkling win at Randwick in January 2010, he travelled to Melbourne to claim the G3 MRC Blue Diamond Prelude before finishing third in the G1 Blue Diamond Stakes and fifth in Crystal Lily’s G1 Golden Slipper.

Beneteau joined the Arrowfield stallion roster in 2011 and served almost 180 mares during his two seasons at stud.

PROMPT RETURN