As Godolphin’s time as a private training powerhouse nears its conclusion, assistant trainer Darren Beadman is determined to make the most of the final stretch, celebrating a gritty win from the promising filly Amusing at Rosehill.
The renowned global racing operation is set to overhaul its Australian model at the end of the current season, transitioning to a public training approach that will see horses distributed among a wider range of trainers nationwide.
James Cummings, who has led the Australian arm of Godolphin since 2017, will move on to a new opportunity in Hong Kong, where he will begin training in the 2026-27 racing season. Beadman, a key part of the team, has not yet disclosed his next move.
Despite the changes ahead, Beadman was beaming after Amusing claimed the Stuart Macdermid Handicap (1500m), delivering a timely boost to the soon-to-disband team.
“Great for the team. The time is coming to a close and it will put a spring in everybody’s step,” Beadman said after the race.
Amusing was having just her sixth career start and had shown glimpses of her potential in previous efforts this campaign, albeit without much luck.
“Her two runs in this time have been tremendous and she has been a little bit unlucky on both occasions. She probably should have finished a lot closer,” Beadman said.
“Alysha (Collett) gave her a beautiful ride, just balanced her up lovely and let her chime into the run.
“She was a little bit flat-footed at the top of the straight but she is by an English Derby winner (Masar) and there is a lot of upside to her and a lot of ceiling left.”
Sent out at $8.50 with bookmakers, Amusing surged late to beat Sister Daae ($4.40) by a short head, with Mr Verse a further half-head behind in third.
The win was part of a strong performance by the Godolphin stable on the day, with runners Corniche and Kerguelen also finishing in the placings.
Meanwhile, apprentice Anna Roper was unseated from her mount Pony Soprano during the early stages of the Highway Handicap (1100m) after clipping heels, but was fortunate to walk away unscathed. She was later cleared by medical staff but did not ride again that afternoon.
Amusing’s impressive win added value for punters who were able to find her at good odds across leading online betting sites.