Benny’s Buttons, trained by Kelso Wood, won the 2010 Vo Rogue Plate on Boxing Day at a sodden Doomben Racecourse in Brisbane.

Ridden by Michael Cahill, three-year-old Benny’s Buttons ($11) ran down race leader Falino ($3.60) over 1350m distance in the Group 3 race worth $150,000. Race favourite Falino held on for second place with Mossriver finishing third.

Despite the win Woods believes that Benny’s Buttons can improve and become a major contender for the 2011 winter carnival, with the Queensland Guineas appearing to be the main target.

“He’s a very immature horse. Physically he will get much stronger. But mentally is where he can improve,” Wood said. “On face value, he was disappointing last run.

“But I had a feeling he was not happy being trapped inside horses. I think he proved today that he is a bit timid around other horses.

“He’ll learn what it’s about with time.

“He finished off the 1350m strongly. I really believe in time he’ll be best suited at a mile and even a touch longer.”

2010 Vo Rogue Plate Results

HORSE	Jockey	Finish	Starting Price
BENNY’S BUTTONS	MICHAEL CAHILL	1st	$11
FALINO	SHANE SCRIVEN	2nd	$3.80F
MOSSRIVER	LARRY CASSIDY	3rd	$6.50
BRIGHTEXPECTATIONS	CHRIS MUNCE	4th	$7
BIANCA JEWEL	RYAN WIGGINS	5th	$7
STEEL DRAGON	DAMIAN BROWNE	6th	$6
ADEBISI	SCOTT SEAMER	7th	$7
THEGREATANDTHEGOOD	JIM BYRNE	8th	$21
CANSAVE	GLEN COLLESS	9th	$31
BIG CHANCE	DANIEL GRIFFIN	10th	$16
STARTSMEUP	PAUL HAMMERSLEY	Scratched	–
SISTER HAVANA(NZ)	BRAD STEWART	Scratched	–