It was a popular result on course at Bendigo’s Thursday meeting last week when a pair of locals combined to win the last race of the card. It was trainer Brent Stanley and jockey John Keating getting the job done with Aoife in the 1400-metre benchmark 58. 
Stanley admitted that Aoife ($8.50) might not have been fully wound up for the first-up assignment, but her natural ability shone through, and the four-year-old Maurice looks set for a productive preparation. 
“Barrier one and a soft run absolutely helped. She probably just felt it the last 50 (metres) but she toughed it out,” Stanley said. “She’s always had more ability than what she’s shown (to date). Hopefully she can keep carrying that through the preparation.”
With the win raising her rating from 54 to 58, the mare should still get in with a manageable weight for benchmark 58 races, so Stanley is hoping he can get another win out of her before having to step up in grade again. 
He has always had a high opinion of the four-year-old, who kicked off her racing career in the 2022 Group 3 Blue Diamond fillies’ preview. 
Keating has an affinity with the mare, having now been aboard for two of her three victories. 
“Mentally she’s been right there, even in trackwork,” Keating said.
“She’s flying this preparation. I just love her.”
The well bred mare, by the sire of Mazu and Hitotsu from a Moonee Valley winner, has now won three of her 22 starts, with six minor placings. She is raced by Sona Bloodstock. 
Bendigonians buy up
Bendigo trainers were active at the recent Magic Millions Adelaide yearling sale.
Shane Fliedner got in early with lot two, a Harry Angel filly out of an unraced Dundeel mare for $25,000.
Toby Lake added to his growing stable with a pair of colts. 
Lot 412, by Blue Point out of a winning Irish-bred Dansili mare, cost him $10,000. He also purchased lot 429, by Peltzer out of a well related Show a Heart mare, for $22,000.