Godolphin has celebrated its first Group One success under a public training model with Beiwacht adding to the global superpower’s incredible Golden Rose record with a scintillating win in track record time.
One of four starters for trainer Chris Waller, Beiwacht ($9) took up the running for Adam Hyeronimus and emphatically dispelled pre-race concerns over his ability to stretch to 1400m by running out a 4-1/4 length winner over stablemate Wodeton ($4.20) with Godolphin’s other runner, filly Tempted ($3 fav), a head away third.
Beiwacht’s time of 1:20.79 smashed the previous track record of 1:21.22 held by Cepheus with Waller saying he was humbled to deliver Godolphin its first major under a public training model.
“Godolphin has been an amazing story for Australia and they’ve been my biggest competitor for so many years consistently in these big races, the stallion making races,” Waller said.
“We had four great colts in the race and unfortunately there is only one winner.”
Beiwacht was regarded as Waller’s third string contender and given his propensity to over-race at times as a juvenile, there were doubts over his ability to run a strong 1400m.
However, Waller said the colt had matured into his three-year-old season and that gave connections confidence he could emulate his sire and 2019 Golden Rose winner Bivouac.
“We’ve had confidence the horse has continued to mature,” Waller said.
“What struck us the most today, he was so calm and relaxed. He is a proper racehorse.
“He’s got good looks, he’s got proper two-year-old form and he’s backed it up at three.”
Godolphin is yet to fill its Everest slot for this year and managing director Andy Makiv says their representative will come out of the Golden Rose.
“Three weeks in is a really good lead-up for either Beiwacht or Tempted to go back to the 1200 metres,” Makiv said.
“They seem to be our logical choices and really our only choices.”
James McDonald said Wodeton tried hard and would have his day in the sun.
“He was very gallant in defeat, stayed on really well and his day will come,” McDonald said.
Ethan Brown was also satisfied with the effort of Tempted, adding he felt she would be better back to a shorter journey.
“I feel like she’s probably a little bit more effective over 1200 metres with a hotter tempo but very good effort,” Brown said.
Beiwacht was Godolphin’s seventh Golden Rose winner and gave them back-to-back victories following the success of Broadsiding last year.
