Photo: Race Images
Group One performer Beauden remains an outside hope of making it to Melbourne, where he holds a nomination for the Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) with an allotted weight of 53.5kg.
After lumping 63.5kgs to finish fifth in an open handicap at Te Aroha last week, Beauden will head back to his happy hunting ground at Awapuni for his next assignment, the Gr.3 Metric Mile (1600m) on Saturday week.
The rich chestnut has 12 career victories to his credit, with eight of those coming at Awapuni.
“I don’t know what it is about Awapuni he loves so much,” said Graeme Rogerson, who trains in partnership with his wife Debbie.
“He worked sensational this morning over 1000m on the grass and is going really good.
“The biggest thing with him is that at Te Aroha he had 63.5kgs first up over a mile, so it was a big weight to carry.
“I’ll talk with Joan (Egan, owner) where he goes after Awapuni. He is in the Livamol (Gr.1, 2040m) so we’ll leave our options open.
“If he goes to Aussie he will go to the Moonee Valley Cup (Gr.2, 2500m) and then the Melbourne Cup.” -NZ Racing Desk
