The decision to test Beau Rada at 1100 metres didn’t get the desired result in Listed company so the sprinter returns to a more familiar distance at Flemington.
Beau Rada will step out for the 13th start of his preparation in Saturday’s TAB/ATA Celebrates Women Trainers Handicap, dropping back to 1000m after his sixth in the Bel Esprit Stakes at Caulfield.
Beau Rada’s campaign, which began in October, has netted three wins and another five placings.
He will be chasing his first Flemington victory at his sixth attempt.
“Last start he was only beaten a couple of lengths in the Bel Esprit Stakes and probably didn’t get the 1100 metres,” trainer John McArdle said.
“He’s pretty much a pure 1000-metre horse.
“There wasn’t a lot of options around for him until this race and we decided to give him a crack at the 1100 metres last start to see what happened.
“It didn’t work as we wanted it to, although he still ran well behind some nice horses.”
McArdle says Beau Rada doesn’t need a lot of work and the key is trying to keep him fresh.
“He spends a lot of time at Fulmen Park on the water walker in between races and that keeps him fresh,” he said.
“He comes back and has one gallop and that’s him ready to go to the races. I think that’s the key. We just keep him fresh.”
McArdle believes Beau Rada is holding his form and will be looking for him to settle off the speed and sprint home strongly.
“His sprint only lasts a short amount of time so we have to hold him up and have one last crack at them,” McArdle said.
Saturday’s 13-horse field includes Supido who is aiming for six-straight wins while Tasmanian star Admiral is also entered.
Supido and Admiral are being aimed at the Group One Goodwood in Adelaide.
McArdle had Grey Street nominated for Saturday’s Group Two Euclase Stakes in Adelaide but decided against travelling the filly interstate late in her campaign.
Instead she is set to line up in the VRC Member Betty Cummings Handicap (1200m).
“She’s a tough, honest little filly,” McArdle said.
The trainer also has two-year-old Fica Gal heading to Flemington for the Phar Lap Club Plate (1100m).
