Benkennie Chic's Leading Megastar Hand

WHEN David Smith rolls into Dapto this Thursday night he may well stop and pinch himself that he's got a two pronged attack at this year's Group 1 Beteasy sponsored Dapto Megastar Final (520m).

Whilst Smith part-owns race favourite and fastest qualifier Benkennie Chic, the established owner/trainer/breeder also puts the polish on rank outsider Infrared Ethics for the $75,000 to-the-winner south coast feature.

"I bought Benkennie Chic off Michael and Michelle Jones when she was about 3-4 months old," recalled Smith earlier this week in the lead up to Thursday night's Megastar finale.

"I was keen to get into the Jones' breed – they own the sire My Bro Fabio and I knew the opinion they had of him heading to stud and the bitch Zippy Chicki was very talented as well. Michael and Michelle do all my rearing and do an outstanding job so when the chance came up to get one from the litter myself, Peter (Mantach) and Craig Flint jumped at it."

Speaking of the circumstances that surrounded Benkennie Chic's acquisition, it's reasonable to suggest Smith's mood was in far better spirits now upon reflection than it was at the time.

"Looking back now it's a bit of a funny story but it definitely wasn't at the time," said Smith.

"I'd been speaking with Michael about buying one from the litter and I texted him to confirm the purchase at around 10am on July 7 (2016) – two hours later at midday, Mike Baird announced he was banning the sport.

"Had I been busy at work that morning and not contacted him until the afternoon there's a good chance we wouldn't have gone ahead and got her. Michael being the person he is offered us the chance to back out but I said to him a deal is a deal and the rest is history."

Launching her Megastar bid for trainer Peter Mantach on the back of three straight victories – the two most recent at Dapto in best of night fashion, Benkennie Chic has jumped out of the ground in recent weeks, highlighted by her brilliant 29.50 Dapto success a fortnight ago.

"She's just kept improving right the way through but never more so than just recently – Peter has done a great job with her," added Smith.

"Of the pups from her litter that went to Glengarrie she broke in the slowest but with time and maturity she's just kept improving – and still is improving which is the most pleasing thing.

"I said to someone just yesterday it's a funny game we are in – a few weeks back we were looking at stepping her up to 600m to get another win on the board, now we're favourite for a Group 1 Final!"

Whilst Smith has high hopes for Benkennie Chic's prospects after securing box two in the Group 1 feature, he's far more matter of fact about the chances of second stringer Infrared Ethics, set to exit box six where he's been installed 100/1 in pre-post markets.

"He gives his all every time he goes around, he's a very honest dog," said Smith of the son of Bella Infrared and Slasher's Ethics, the litter boasting 68 wins and almost $200,000 in prizemoney between them.

"When I went up to pick his box there was 1,4 and 6 left and I picked 6. Being realistic he's not up to winning it but box 1 would have been nice – I haven't had a lot of luck picking boxes in big finals.

"His litter has been very good to me, we haven't had a lot of luck with them at different times but I can't argue with what they've done. I really thought Red Sox Ethics was up to winning a really nice race but not a lot's gone right with her. Yankee's Ethics has won a lot of races and White Sox Ethics, which Peter trains as well, has the Gosford distance record to her name.

"I've got a litter of 10 by My Bro Fabio out of Slasher's Ethics at the breakers now showing a bit and I've also got another litter of pups again by Bella Infrared so there's plenty coming through."

Not one to get ahead of himself, Smith has told Dapto regulars to hold onto their hats if Benkennie Chic lands the Megastar come Thursday night.

"We'll need earmuffs, I don't know if we'll be able to control Peter (Mantach)," joked Smith.

"It'd be great to see her win for Peter, he loves his dogs and he's done a great job with her, she's going in fit and healthy so now we just need some luck like you do in all the big races.

"The favourite in a Group 1 doesn't come along every day!"