Marasco Dazzles With Beadman

Sydney Morning Herald

Saturday September 22, 2007

Max Presnell

THE Darren Beadman touch in today's Underwood Stakes at Caulfield, even more than the difficulty mares have winning the group 1 feature, could give the West Australian Marasco an edge on Miss Finland, which has a strong horses-for-courses advantage.

Miss Finland has won six out of eight around the circuit, while Marasco is a still a Caulfield maiden, with four seconds from as many attempts. But with an explanation.

While Marasco has had the services of top jockeys Greg Childs and Paul Harvey, the gelding didn't gallop as sweetly for them as for Beadman when he rode him in the Makybe Diva Stakes at Flemington on September 8. With Beadman aboard, Marasco trounced the in-form Apache Cat without the tendency to hang, a trait he showed behind the same horse at Caulfield at his previous start, when a close second.

Yes, it could have been an aversion to the track but his three earlier attempts at the course featured form comments of: "Struck interference, disappointed for a run ... checked at 1200m ... hung in". But, for the Hong Kong-bound Beadman, Marasco was smooth of stride and very much in harmony with the rider.

The decision by Beadman to leave Australia when still on top of his game indicates Honkers is still the Valhalla for jockeys. And Marasco, from the same stable that produced Northerly, a two-time Underwood winner, gives Beadman a great chance of going out on a group 1-winning note. Northerly accounted for Magical Miss in 2002 and Universal Prince in 2001.

Against Miss Finland, Marasco's task is much tougher. Perhaps no mare has been successful since Tristarc in 1985 but none, with the possible exception of 1998 runner-up Jezabeel, have been as good as Miss Finland. Jezabeel went on to win the Melbourne Cup.

In my opinion, Miss Finland is in the outstanding category, verging on great, which is a cog below a champion. Still, the four-year-old has had only one race after a spell, albeit for an impressive victory over Haradasun in the Memsie at Caulfield on September 1, whereas Marasco has been well seasoned by trainer Fred Kersley with three runs this campaign.

No doubt, another mare, Eskimo Queen, the Queensland Oaks winner, will be closely watched from the cups viewpoint. The four-year-old caught the eye last start, when second to Devil Moon at Flemington.

Also, Maybe Better indicated he was getting within the place zone with a four-lengths sixth to El Segundo in the Feehan Stakes (1600 metres) at Moonee Valley last Saturday. The extra 200m today and Caulfield should suit him.

VERDICT: Beadman to dazzle.

THE RIGHT TUNE: Again Beadman could make a difference on the Kersley-trained Jestatune in the Thousand Guineas Prelude.

Jestatune has won four out of six in Perth but has proved a handful for jockeys in recent starts. For instance, she was wide throughout and beat older horses of suspect quality first-up over 1000m at Belmont Park on September 5. But at her previous start, when second in the WA Sires Stakes (1400m) at Ascot, she "hung in during the race". Beadman will launch her from barrier 10, and astute navigation will be required. Tan Tat De Lago (nine) should lead and Chinchilla Rose (14) is a major contender but will get back in the field.

VERDICT: Jestatune to hit the right note.

WAR FOOTING: The possibility of Weekend Hussler, the freakish winner at Sandown on Wednesday, going around again holds the key to the Caulfield Guineas Prelude.

Obviously, he will be a major presence but Western Australia again has a strong influence with Scenic Blast, which has already made his mark in Melbourne with two excellent performances. Still, the Kersley-prepared On The Warpath, winner of two out of three, is highly rated in Perth. Blake Shinn has the mount on On The Warpath.

VERDICT: Kersley is renowned for his strike rate in Melbourne, not only with the top-liners but travelling companions. Try On The Warpath.

DIVINE MOMENT: Barrier three may not necessarily be an advantage to Bon Hoffa in the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes. According to the Herald Sun in Melbourne, "No horse has won from this barrier in the 56-year history of the race." Bon Hoffa has won his past two starts, the latest being the group 3 Bobby Lewis at Flemington (1200m) on September 8, after he reportedly hit his head on the stall at the start and trod on his hoof. He gets his class test today against group 1-winner Divine Madonna. First-up Divine Madonna was beaten three lengths by Bon Hoffa but meets him 3 kilograms better today.

VERDICT: Divine Madonna - even from barrier 19.

CLASS EDGE: The Fuzz is ready to blossom in the Naturalism Stakes with the benefit of blinkers and, hopefully, a trouble-free run, unlike his last-start fifth to Master O'Reilly at Flemington on September 8. Not that Sirmione had a better passage when fourth to Field Hunter at Moonee Valley last Saturday. But they are taking on a formidable rival, Maldivian, who is dropping in class. Trainer Mark Kavanagh maintained the gelding was still short of peak condition when fourth to Marasco in the Makybe Diva Stakes.

VERDICT: Maldivian.

© 2007 Sydney Morning Herald

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