To their credit, co-trainers Tony and Maddysen Sears identified Beau Dazzler as their Group 1 Queensland Derby contender very early in the piece … and the colts third place finish in the Group 2 Queensland Guineas at Eagle Farm on Saturday, when hitting the line well over the 1600m trip, was just what the doctor ordered.
There was no expectation on the stable’s part of Beau Dazzler winning the Guineas … he started at odds of $26 … but it was important to the Sears camp that he showed the necessary drive over the concluding stages so that the run could get a tick and he could earn a pass mark on his way to his Derby Grand Final on May 31.
Prior to the Guineas result Beau Dazzler had put two impressive, comfortable back-to-back wins together in the Group 3 Grand Prix and the Quality Eagle Way … efforts which underlined his well-being and the fact that he was making significant progress at the right time. He was then given some time in the paddock.
“We brought him back (after a four-month break from racing) especially for the Derby,” said Tony Sears.
“That was his first real step towards the Derby. We were just hoping he would run on, which he did.
“It was a terrific run. He ticked all the right boxes. Very happy with him.”
And, while there is still a little way to go, it is always satisfying when you can get a long-range plan to come together.
“Yeah, we did pick him early for the Derby,” said Sears.
“I don’t know how many Queensland horses are going to be in the Derby, but he, well and truly, is going to be one of the chances.”
And Maddysen Sears provided more news out of the Sears stable.
Yellow Brick will have his second trial on Tuesday,” said Sears. “He has already had one trial which he went very well in. Then he is first-up in the BRC,” (Sprint … on May 24).
“Steady Ready is also due to resume over the carnival. Both horses are very well. Very Happy with them.”
Yellow Brick is an eight-time winner from twenty starts with just shy of $2 million banked in prize-money. He has placed first or second six times in eight starts when racing first-up.
The King Of The Mountain winner Steady Ready is a seven-time winner from nineteen starts with a current prize-money haul of just over $1 million. He will be bidding for four wins in a row on his return.
