Darley trainer Peter Snowden has captured the Group 1 Doomben 10,000 with Beaded, just a week after he thought he was no chance in the race.
“When most of us trainers knew Black Caviar and Hay List were going around, we all thought place money was the best we could aim for.
“All of a sudden (when they came out) we had to go back and tighten the screws. We were all a chance,” Snowden said.
Beaded, who was rated a $26 chance before the withdrawals of Black Caviar and Hay List, jumped as second favourite, and beat home perennial runner up Love Conquers All, while the winner of the last two Stradbroke Handicap’s, Black Piranha was third.
Snowden’s original plan was to use the Doomben 10,000 as a warm race for Beaded, whose main targets were to be the Stradbroke Handicap and Winter Stakes.
“The way it was I kept something in the tank, but this has worked out tremendously well. She can still improve. She’s still a bit soft and will only get better going into the Stradbroke.
“She’s been an amazing mare. Initially when she first came out of the yard, we thought she was a mid-week mare, but she just kept putting in, she kept winning and hardly missed a place, no matter how much we stepped her up. To be honest I think she’s racing better than ever,” said Snowden.
Corey Brown, who was filling in for the injured Kerrin McEvoy, allowed Beaded to take up a position just off the pace, which was set early by Border Rebel and Love Conquers All.
“Peter (Snowden) told me she might be a bit soft and not to push the button too early.
Brown went onto say that while Beaded probably peaked early on her run, she responded near the line which was an encouraging sign ahead of the Stradbroke.
Beaded is scheduled to carry 51.5kg in the Stradbroke Handicap on June 11, however the five year old Lonhro mare may receive a penalty under a new rule amendment.
