Beadman big on Andermatt ahead of Randwick outing
Fresh from the high of Cascadian’s breathtaking triumph in the $600,000 All Aged Stakes (1400m), the Godolphin stable is carrying high hopes into this Saturday’s meeting at Randwick.
Notably, James Cummings’ assistant trainer Darren Beadman believes Andermatt will be tough to beat in the $130,000 Furphy Handicap (1100m).
The four-year-old gelding, to carry 57.5kg with leading NSW jockey James McDonald aboard and starting from barrier five, is the $1.85 favourite with .
He has also won his past two starts in Heavy 10 and Soft 6 conditions.
“Andermatt has come on well since his last win, and he likes soft ground,” Beadman told HorseBetting.com.au.
“So it’ll be an ideal race for him.”
Plymstock is a $10 chance with online bookmakers to win the $130,000 Schweppes Handicap (1100m).
The two-year-old filly finished seventh from eight runners in her last start at Randwick – the Lohnro Plate (1000m) on February 5 – and that was in Soft 6 conditions.
She won her only other career start before that – the $130,000 Heineken 3 Handicap (1000m) at Randwick on January 22 – in Soft 5 conditions.
“Plymstock – we’ll weigh up what sort of ground we’ll get on Saturday,” Beadman said.
Beadman was delighted with McDonald’s sensational ride on Cascadian in last Saturday’s Group 1 feature, which was the last day of the 2022 Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival.
The top Sydney hoop showed all his experience and expertise to weave through the field and get to an outside lane from barrier one, before the seven-year-old gelding put in a mighty effort to run down Tofane.
“He’s been such an honest and consistent horse. Coming back from the mile (Doncaster Mile, where he finished ninth) to the 1400 he was a fit horse,” Beadman said.
“He’s a quality individual. Yeah he did (show his versatility).”
The Cummings stable also celebrated a win on Monday, when three-year-old gelding Athelric saluted in the $60,000 Furphy Handicap (1000m).
It was his second consecutive triumph – both over 1000m at Warwick Farm and in heavy conditions.
“It was a similar race to last start and he won with a lot of authority,” Beadman said.