Former champion jockey Darren Beadman has celebrated his first stakes winner as a trainer, with Godolphin’s Duca Valentinois storming home to take out the Listed Scone Cup.
Beadman is still in his first week as a trainer after taking over from John O’Shea as the global racing giant Godolphin’s Australian trainer on an interim basis.
Beadman, who had been O’Shea’s assistant, notched his first winners at Canterbury on Wednesday while Duca Valentinois’ success on Friday was his first feature win.
“It’s all a bit of a blur at the moment for me,” Beadman told Sky Thoroughbred Central.
After a good second in his return from a spell at Randwick in April, things didn’t go Duca Valentinois’ way in the Hawkesbury Cup last start when he finished 10th after being posted wide.
From a good draw in Friday’s 1600m race, visiting Melbourne jockey Michael Dee had Duca Valentinois ($10) midfield with cover before he let down powerfully in the straight to defeat God’s In Him by 1-1/2 lengths with last year’s winner Pajaro a long head away third.
“The key to him is to switch him off,” Beadman said.
“If you get the first half mile right, the rest will work out.
“I thought he had a realistic chance. The ground was a bit firm for him at Hawkesbury the other day. He drew off the track and he just never got into his right rhythm.
“But today, Mick Dee gave him a beautiful ride.”
Dee got the call-up for the ride at 53kg and was competing at Scone for the first time.
After walking the track and speaking to Beadman pre-race, Dee had his plan which worked out as he hoped.
“He (Beadman) told me exactly about the horse and what I should be doing and everything just worked out beautifully,” Dee said.
“I can’t thank the team at Godolphin enough. I got the late call-up because of the light weight, and I’m just very happy to pull it off for the team.”
