Motown Bolts In Beaufine
9 June, 2018
Thoroughbred
Mr Motown has recorded his first Listed race victory, taking out the Beaufine Stakes (1000m) at Belmont Park.
The form around the Lindsey Smith-trained galloper was made to look exceptional earlier in the day, when Galaxy Star recorded her third successive victory.
That mare’s only blemish this campaign came at the hands of Mr Motown when she was first-up at Ascot on May 5.
By the time the Beaufine Stakes came around, there was plenty of support for the gelding, and ultimately started third favourite at $6 behind Profit Street ($2.60) and Durendal ($3.90).
Ridden by Lucy Warwick, who tasted success in the Group 3 Belmont Sprint last weekend aboard Material Man, Mr Motown was given a near perfect run throughout the $100,000 event.
Warwick settled the six-year-old just behind the speed set by It’s It and Durendal, and was able to peel out at the top of the straight and get the better of the small field.
After the race, Smith said it was pleasing to see Mr Motown get a Listed victory, as he took his record to 11 wins from 43 starts.
“He’s been in good form the last couple of starts,” he said.
“He’s been down the beach and he seems to like that workload.
“Sometimes they fall into the right race and he did today with the scratching of the good horse (Rock Magic).”
Durendal battled on gamely, after setting a solid tempo in front and managed to hang on for second, while one of the outsiders of the field Pretentious Chant held on for third.
Mr Motown’s win capped off a successful day for Warwick, who was also aboard Keeper’s Son in the Amelia Park Lamb Handicap (1600m).
Tim Walker