Popular Victorian jockey Jason Benbow made a winning return to the saddle today when he partnered the exciting juvenile Star Salute to victory at Sale.

A member of the all conquering Peter Moody stable, Star Salute showed she was a filly with a future when she led throughout for a highly impressive debut win.

Moody purchased Star Salute for $100,000 from the draft of Baramul Stud at last year’s Magic Millions National Yearling Sale.

The win was the first for Benbow since breaking his ankle in a fall after his mount Savour That stepped in a hole which led to the abandonment of a Benalla race meeting on October last year.

“I’ve only been back riding horses even in work for about three or four weeks,” Benbow said. “I didn’t know a lot about her (Star Salute) but it’s good to be back and riding winners.”

“She’s really well educated,” he added. “She’s didn’t do too much wrong but she’s still got a lot to learn.”

“I had to keep her mind on the job – but I didn’t get to the bottom and that means there’s good upside with her.”

Star Salute ($4-$4.20) cruise to the line a length and three quarters clear of runner-up Tully Costa ($9-$26), while Encoded ($3-$3.30) was another half length back in third place.

Today’s winner is a daughter of Magic Millions Classic winning and producing sire General Nediym and hails from a Group One family.

Her dam Spinning Star, a daughter of Spinning World, won two races and was placed four times in Melbourne prior to being retired to stud.

He is a three quarter sister to Spinlin and half sister to Be My Princess – a stakes winner and dam of the South African stakes winner Flying Princess.

Spinning Star is from My Dear Rebecca, a half sister to St Clemens – the stakes performed dam of Group One winner St. Clemens Belle and stakes placed, four time winner Sanctus.

A half brother to Star Salute by Group One sire Danasinga was purchased by Mark Riley for $20,000 at January’s Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.

General Nediym will be represented by yearlings at upcoming Magic Millions sales in Adelaide and the Gold Coast.