Sprinter Beadman, bearing the name of the iconic Hall of Fame jockey, is carving out his identity on the track.
After Beadman’s hard-fought seasonal reappearance victory in the Listed $200,000 Fireball Stakes (1100m) at Royal Randwick Saturday, trainer Peter Snowden has every incentive to dream big.
James McDonald guided the $2.30 favourite Beadman to a short head decision over late-charging Inkaruna ($3.50), with Hidden Motive ($9) the early leader hanging on gamely a short neck behind in third.
The colt earns Snowden’s immense respect, prompting the trainer to push for participation in the Group 1 $1 million The Galaxy (1100m) at Rosehill Gardens March 21.
“It was good to see him do that, he ran smart time, too,” Snowden said.
“He did get a bit keen mid-race and I’m still working him out but he definitely has the talent.
“I think this win might get him into The Galaxy now. I know that is a big aim but that is the belief I have in this horse.”
Beadman, out of superstar sire Snitzel, has tallied three wins and three placings across seven races as a colt.
Newgate Farm’s Henry Field, partnering with elite owners and breeders in the syndicate, is ready to unleash the three-year-old versus veteran sprinters at Group 1 in the coming start.
“The Galaxy has always been the plan,” Field said.
“He’s a big, gross colt and whatever he did today the expectation is he has a lot of improvement to come.
“James made the comment when he got to the front he started ‘floating’ so he will be better again in The Galaxy.”They always go hard in that race so the tempo will be good for him.”
The performance solidified Beadman at $6 as second pick behind Briasa ($4.50) in early The Galaxy markets.
In good humour, Snowden teased the Hall of Fame jockey Darren Beadman before confirming his substantial confidence in the maturing sprinter.
“Beadman has always shown me a lot of ability but everything takes time and he is still learning,” Snowden said.
“His race-craft has to get a bit better and I’m sure it will.
“He has all the natural attributes, he’s got the talent, he has a very good demeanour – he has a name that might hold him back a little bit – but he’s very promising.”
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