Racing: Longshot does best for stable

Dean Yendall has celebrated his first Melbourne win for the David Hayes stable on longshot Alkhafif at Caulfield.

Having his first race start, the Exceed and Excel gelding was one of three runners for the stable in yesterday's Starting Price Handicap (1000m) and scored by a head from Russian Heart with Most Immediate 1 lengths away third.

Hayes' other runners Be That As It May and Eggypop finished eighth and 13th respectively.

In-form galloper Benelli will race on into the spring following his win at his first attempt at 1800m at Caulfield.

The 6-year-old gelding has won two and run second in two of his past four starts and co-trainer Richard Laming had no doubts that he would handle the slightly longer journey.

Ridden by Craig Williams in the Griffiths Coffee Cup, Benelli shouldered topweight of 58kg to wear down Magic Instinct and score by a half-neck with Pacino two lengths away third.

Benelli lived right up to his fighting length second to Gold Salute in the Winter Championship Final (1600m) at Flemington on July 4.

Promising galloper At The Crease gave in-form Brian Mayfield-Smith his fourth Saturday metropolitan winner in as many meetings when he rocketed home.

The Flemington mentor has a good opinion of the rapidly improving rising 4-year-old who has won three of his eight starts.

Ridden by Craig Newitt, At The Crease stormed Home from near last on the turn to score by a length from Bertonic with Cascabel three-quarters of a length away third.

Mayfield-Smith said At The Crease will go for a break and return in the autumn.

- AAP