The Beacon Shines Brightly

Beacon of Hope (3 g Fastnet Rock - Randaroo, by Gold Case) was a touch too good for his rivals in the Rating 75 1200 metres on May 18 at Ruakaka, and provided premiership leading trainers Stephen Autridge & Jamie Richards with their 89^th win of the season.

“He was a bit keen in the middle stages, but stuck to his guns nicely,” said Richards, after Beacon of Hope had set up a genuine gallop outside the leader.

“We gave him a bit of a break after his last start and he freshened up well."

Owned by the 2014 Te Akau Breeding Syndicate (Mgr: David Ellis), Beacon of Hope was purchased by Ellis from the Curraghmore Stud draft for $680,000 at the 2014 New Zealand Bloodstock Premier Yearling Sale.

“He's not the easiest at times, but he's owned by a very good bunch of owners and in the same syndicate as Xtravagant,” said Richards.

“He's gone the right way and a big sort of Fastnet [Rock], that going along over 1200 (metres) just seems to suit him."

Beacon of Hope had been close up in a strong field at his only course attempt and now won three of his nine starts.

With Cameron Lammas aboard, he clocked a very respectable 1:10.4, last 600m in 35.4, for the 1200 metres on Dead4 footing and returned $6.00 & $2.65 in the TAB fixed odds market.

Rain prior to the race was in keeping with the conditions when Beacon of Hope won his first race in January at Rotorua, where he ran a smart time for 1400 metres: 1:23.4 and 34.8 for the final 600m.

At the time of purchase, Curraghmore Stud boss Gordon Cunningham said: “He has maturity, quality, out of a top US mare that was a six time group winner and I loved him from the time I saw him.

“It was a very good win,” said Ellis.

“It was nice to see him win his third race from the last six starts, he is a horse that has been really well placed by Steve & Jamie.

“It shows the difference between really top trainers and average trainers; is their ability to get extra wins out of those sorts of horses,” he said.

Beacon of Hope was strapped by Daniel Miller.

Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz