Beadman, the promising sprinter named after the Hall of Fame jockey, is starting to make a name for himself.
Trainer Peter Snowden has even reason to aim high with Beadman after his tough first-up win in the Listed $200,000 Fireball Stakes (1100m) at Royal Randwick on Saturday.
In an exciting finish, Beadman ($2.30 favourite), ridden by James Mcdonald, held off the late surge of Inkaruna ($3.50) to win by a short head with early leader Hidden Motive ($9) only a short neck away in third place.
Snowden has a huge opinion of Beadman and believes the colt deserves his chance in the Group 1 $1 million The Galaxy (1100m) at Rosehill Gardens on March 21.
“It was good to see him do that, he ran smart time, too,” Snowden said.
“He did get a bit keen mid-race and I’m still working him out but he definitely has the talent.
“I think this win might get him into The Galaxy now. I know that is a big aim but that is the belief I have in this horse.”
Beadman, a colt by super sire Snitzel, scored his third win (and three placings) from seven starts.
Newgate Farm supremo Henry Field, who races the colt in a syndicate of high profile owners and breeders, said he is keen to test the three-year-old against the older sprinters at Group 1 level next start.
“The Galaxy has always been the plan,” Field said.
“He’s a big, gross colt and whatever he did today the expectation is he has a lot of improvement to come.
“James made the comment when he got to the front he started ‘floating’ so he will be better again in The Galaxy.”They always go hard in that race so the tempo will be good for him.”
Beadman was impressive enough to firm into $6 second favouritism behind Briasa ($4.50) for The Galaxy.
Snowden couldn’t help himself before having a good-natured “dig” at the colt’s namesake, Hall of Fame jockey Darren Beadman, before reiterating his lofty rating of the improving young sprinter.
“Beadman has always shown me a lot of ability but everything takes time and he is still learning,” Snowden said.
“His race-craft has to get a bit better and I’m sure it will.
“He has all the natural attributes, he’s got the talent, he has a very good demeanour – he has a name that might hold him back a little bit – but he’s very promising.”
