Beadman targets maiden Group win in Scone
Buoyed by training his first winners for Godolphin at a midweek meeting in Sydney, Darren Beadman is now eyeing his first Group level success at Scone.
Beadman started his stint as John O’Shea’s successor in style with Malahat and Bratislava scoring at Canterbury on Wednesday.
He is confident four-year-old mare Kinshachi can turn a luckless last start into a positive in Saturday’s Group Three Dark Jewel Classic (1400m).
Kinshachi paid for a slow start when third behind Shillelagh and Daysee Doom in the Group Three Godolphin Crown (1300m) at Hawkesbury on April 29.
“She ran very well last start after drawing off the track and being wide throughout and still loomed up to win,” Beadman said.
“She’ll have taken great benefit from the run and her work has been first class since. She’s certainly got the ability to win this type of race.”
Kinshachi, who has only been out of the top three once in her 12-race career, is rated a $9.50 chance with the TAB for the fillies and mares feature.
Beadman also has high hopes for five-year-old gelding Grunderzeit in the Listed Luskin Star Stakes (1300m), although all his five wins have been recorded at Canterbury.
Grunderzeit ($9.50) is coming off a sixth in the Hawkesbury Gold Rush with Beadman giving him the benefit of the doubt after he was blocked in the straight.
“He was a bit unlucky the other day. With the right run in the race and stepping up to 1300 he should be suited,” he said.
Two-year-old filly Epidemic, who seeks her maiden win in the Listed Woodlands Stakes (1100m) after running fourth on debut in October, excites Beadman.
“She looks magnificent. I really like this filly. She’s got a bit of brilliance about her,” Beadman said.
“At her only start she was desperately unlucky.”
Epidemic’s stablemate Almanzora is the $2.80 favourite as she looks to make amends for a below-par run in the Group Two Percy Sykes Stakes at Randwick last month.
“She’s trialled very well since her last run when she raced upside down and went too hard,” Beadman said.