Peter Snowden has taken plenty of positives from the effort of Beadman in the Doomben 10,000, but the colt has one more test to pass to confirm plans for a Stradbroke Handicap mission.
The colt handled his first experience at weight-for-age with aplomb when finishing fifth to veteran Rothfire in the Doomben 10,000 (1200m), a result Snowden felt could have read even better with a touch of luck.
“If he went the fence, he runs a hole for sure,” Snowden said.
“But he went to go between the second horse and third horse. A gap presented, but when he got there, one kept creeping across in front of him.
“He didn’t get any clear air to chase, and he got pipped on the line for fourth.
“What I did learn from it is he’s up to those horses. He’s up to that class and we can have another crack at one of those races.”
Prior to his last start effort, Beadman responded to a conservative ride to post a convincing win in the Gold Coast Guineas (1200m).
Given his vein of form, Snowden is keen to give him a shot at next month’s Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap (1400m), via Saturday’s Fred Best Classic (1400m) at Eagle Farm.
The latter will be an important stepping stone as it will mark Beadman’s first test beyond 1200m, a challenge Snowden is convinced the horse can rise to.
“We will run in the Fred Best Classic,” Snowden said.
“That’s 1400, but I’m confident he’ll run it. If he runs well in that or wins, that should slot him straight into the Stradbroke.
“But there is a lot to play out yet, so we will see what happens.”
Beadman is a $15 chance in early Stradbroke Handicap markets which have his stablemate, last start Takeover Target Stakes winner King Of Roseau, in a four-way tie for favouritism at $11.
Brisbane’s signature sprint is at Eagle Farm on June 13.
