Prospects of an international venture prompted Chris Waller and Godolphin to send Beiwacht to Melbourne for exposure to straight-course racing.
The colt is entered in the Group 1 Lightning Stakes (1000m) at Flemington this Saturday, facing off against another promising Godolphin-owned three-year-old Tentyris, trained by Anthony and Sam Freedman.
The duo of Godolphin colts are also entered for the Group 1 Newmarket Handicap (1200m) at Flemington on March 7, and both remain possible contenders for overseas journeys later in the year, potentially heading to the UK for the Royal Ascot event in June.
The colts have clashed once before along the Flemington straight, where Tentyris claimed victory in the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) last November, with Beiwacht placing fourth.
That fourth placing followed an impressive triumph for Beiwacht in the Group 1 Golden Rose (1400m) at Rosehill during September.
Chris Waller indicated the colt is primed to compete after jockey Ben Melham, riding him on Saturday, provided an excellent assessment following a workout at Flemington last week.
“Darren (Beadman) went down to watch it, and he gave us a glowing report,” Waller said.
“Everyone is happy.”
Waller noted the upcoming Flemington appearances are geared toward overseas preparation, though the primary aim for the trainer and Godolphin is restoring the colt’s competitive edge.
“We need him in form and we need him used to straight racing,” Waller said.
“We will let him run his race, not worry too much about other things. We will get him into a good rhythm and let him find his pace he’s comfortable with.
“I think that’s what we have to do with him, he showed that in the Golden Rose. Let him use his speed but harness that speed, a little bit like Nature Strip.
“He’s not as free going, but we’ve just got to get it right.”
Waller applied a comparable approach with Home Affairs, who secured the Lightning Stakes victory after the Coolmore Stud Stakes success.
Yet Home Affairs struggled to repeat in the 2022 Newmarket Handicap under a hefty 56kg impost for a three-year-old, ending ninth, prior to a mid-pack finish at Royal Ascot in the Group 1 Platinum Jubilee (1200m).
“To get him ready for the Newmarket, they need to have a run first so it might as well be up the straight,” Waller said.
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“It could have been in the Eskimo Prince (in Sydney), but he’s won his Group 1, so I’ll keep him there and give him a chance the learn about straight racing.”
The post Flemington straight to launch Beiwacht campaign first appeared on Just Horse Racing.
