Beatty gained his revenge over AfireofGidgeecoals and gained redemption for his only career loss at the hands of that runner when he landed the $200,000 Sires’ Produce Stakes at Ascot.
The Sean and Jake Casey trained son of Gingerbread Man had gone down to Afireofgidgeecoals in their previous clash in the Karrakatta Plate after blowing the start, and there was no hiccup at the break this around with Willie Pike ensuring that Beatty (the $1.70 favourite) landed in the leading line before letting the speed go and settling in fourth place in the early part, moving at a comfortable gallop just three lengths off the leader.
Lucy Fiore had also put Afireofgidgeecoals (the $3.70 second favourite) in a perfect position. The Daniel Morton trained Karrakatta winner raced right on the heels of Beatty, tracking the favourite, watching Pike’s every move … and there was still only three-quarters-of-a-length between these two main fancies in the approach to the home turn.
By the time the field fanned out on straightening, Pike had Beatty four wide and closing quickly on the leaders while Afireofgidgeecoals was also out and running with Fiore having switched her mount five wide, into clear air, poised to unleash his challenge.
The chase down the home straight was a carbon copy of the closing stages of the Karrakatta … but with the main protagonists now running in a reverse order to their previous contest. This time it was Beatty who hit the front inside the 200m with Afireofgidgeecoals chasing hard, trying to close the gap … but, just as it was in the Karrakatta, it was the horse in front who stayed on strongly enough to carry the day … giving Beatty the win and leaving Afireofgidgeecoals having to settle for second place.
The winning margin was 1.56 lengths.
Beatty has now won four of his five career starts. Those wins include the Crystal Slipper, the Perth Stakes and now the Sires’ Produce Stakes.
“it was a pretty easy watch, “said co-trainer Jake Casey, talking to Racing WA post-race.
“Willie gave him a great ride, as usual. Once he peeled out, he had a lot in hand and once he let down he won well.
“The biggest thing with him is he has muscled up so much as he has progressed. He is really filling out and is going to be a beautiful type of horse.
“It was good seeing him in the 1400, running through the line so strong.”
Willie Pike added his views.
“He was just a completely different horse today,” said Pike.
“Last time (when he blew the start) I know he was in the barriers for a very long time, but the whole time he was giving me grief … whereas today, I know we were not in as long, he was an absolute cool cat.
“He didn’t care. There were horse playing up a couple of stalls over, but he did not care, so, it’s a shame we picked Karrakatta day to have a bee in the bonnet, but today he was very good.”
