Gerald Ryan will be gunning for his second juvenile winner in as many weeks when Beune heads to Canterbury on Saturday.
Ryan was to the fore in last weekend’s Inglis Classic when debutante Cavalry Rose ran down Diamond Earth to land the spoils.
Beune, a daughter of 2005 Golden Slipper winner Stratum, has had the benefit of one run, a sixth to the highly-touted Catkins at Kembla Grange.
While that effort might not excite punters, Ryan served warning not to underestimate her in Saturday’s Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale Plate (1200m).
“She got that many mentions in the stewards’ report you could write a story about it,” Ryan said.
“Her run at Kembla was heaps better than it looked.
“I reckon she will measure up to a nice race.
“She’s the only one I’ve left in the Blue Diamond, mainly because the owners are from Melbourne, but I also think she is a nice filly.”
Like most of her juvenile rivals, Beune is untested on a wet track.
Ryan is happy to roll the dice, pointing out the progeny of Stratum tend to appreciate some cut in the track.
Stable apprentice Josh Adams has the ride and will also partner Saramenha for Ryan in the opening race.
The winner of two of her first three starts, Saramenha hasn’t quite lived up to her early promise.
However, Ryan has been happy with how the filly has been finishing off her races when ridden patiently and he will be instructing Adams to adopt those tactics.
“She needs to be ridden quietly so we’ll ride her quiet,” Ryan said.
“Off the speed first-up over 1300 metres she hit the line well in a slowly run race.
“She hit the line well at Canterbury (second-up) then the other day at Warwick Farm she was up behind the speed and they just went too quick.”
Ryan also has Follow The Lead in the race but said she wouldn’t run if the track was worse than dead.
Mrs Onassis is also doubtful for the International Animal Health Handicap (1100m) unless the course drys out while Road To Summer has been placed in heavy ground and will take his place in the Ascend Sales Trophies Handicap (1200m).
Canterbury was rated a heavy (8) on Thursday but Lindsay Murphy, general manager of racecourses for the Australian Turf Club, said it was improving.
“It’s not far from a (slow) seven now so it’s on the better side of heavy,” Murphy said.
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