China Horse Club’s red and yellow colours were back in the winner’s circle on Saturday, with Beadman and Monopolistic delivering a quality interstate double.
The headline act came at the Gold Coast, where Beadman returned to the scene of one of his most dominant performances and added the G3 Gold Coast Guineas to his growing record.
Twelve months after announcing himself with a runaway win in the G3 Ken Russell Memorial Classic, the son of Snitzel again showed his liking for the Queensland venue, producing a timely return to form for trainer Peter Snowden and jockey James McDonald.
Beadman had endured a luckless run since his first-up Listed Fireball Stakes success at Randwick in March, but Saturday’s result reaffirmed the talent that has long been evident in the colt. Snowden had remained confident heading into the race, noting beforehand that Beadman’s previous runs had come with genuine excuses and that the Gold Coast would provide the right opportunity for him to show his best again.
The victory further strengthened the colt’s profile and keeps him firmly in the conversation for Group 1 targets later in the carnival.
Earlier at Gosford, Monopolistic announced himself as a progressive staying prospect with an impressive win in the Elite Sand & Soil Benchmark 78 Handicap over 2100m.
Trained by Chris Waller and ridden by Andrew Atkins, the New Zealand-bred son of Savabeel produced a sweeping finish from near the rear of the 16-horse field, reeling in King Pedro late to score by a neck.
The performance has put Monopolistic firmly on a Queensland Derby path, with Waller confirming after the win that the lightly raced gelding is being aimed at the 2400m Group 1 at Eagle Farm later this month.
“He’s heading towards a Queensland Derby and just needs a bit of confidence,” Waller said. “He has the ability.”
Together, the wins underlined the depth of China Horse Club’s current racing team heading into the Queensland winter carnival. Beadman, a fast and talented Group-winning colt, is back in form at stakes level, while Monopolistic has emerged as a progressive staying prospect now pressing toward a Classic target.