Godolphin trainer Darren Beadman can’t split his runners in two key races at Ipswich as he bids to add to his stakes wins in his short training career.
Beadman, who took over as Godolphin’s interim trainer in early May when John O’Shea resigned, has already saddled 25 winners up until Thursday.
They include Impending in last week’s Group One Stradbroke Handicap as well as Listed winners Duca Valentinois (Scone Cup) and Allergic (McKell Cup).
Beadman, who hands over to James Cummings as head trainer for Godolphin on July 8, has Federal and Handfast in the Listed Eye Liner Stakes.
“They’re like peas in a pod lately. They’ve gone around in the same races at their past two runs and haven’t been too far from each other,” Beadman said.
“Unfortunately they haven’t drawn too well so it’ll be a case of hoping they get cover and good rides.”
He can take heart from the fact a good proportion of Eye Liner winners in recent years have come from wide barriers on a day when the track usually plays to swoopers.
Beadman also has Kinshachi and Maternal in the Listed Gai Waterhouse Classic (1350m).
“Kinshachi’s run behind Bonny O’Reilly the other day was quite OK (sixth in the Helen Coughlan Stakes). She was beaten less than three lengths and is probably down in grade a bit here,” he said..
“It looks like being another heavy track up there. She handles that and she’s up to this class.”
He said Maternal was happy on a soft track as she showed when she won at Doomben two starts ago.
“The wide draw isn’t a help but the fence might not be that good either. She’s got good gate speed and a top jockey in Jeff Lloyd,” Beadman said.
