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Beaten Up has delivered his best performance since arriving on Australian shores taking out the Group 1 Doomben Cup (2000m) last Saturday.
Photo by Racing and Sports
The Chris Waller-trained gelding the run prior showed a glimpse of what he could produce during the Rowley Mile at Hawkesbury when a narrow second behind Mouro.
Beaten Up had a sense of timing about him fourth run back from a spell rising in distance during last Saturday’s Doomben Cup (2000m).
The UK import enjoyed a nice run in transit with jockey Leith Innes positioning the Beat Hollow gelding just worse than midfield on the fence.
Innes still had plenty of horse underneath him as they straightened and from there the pair went about catching Manighar who attempted to steal the race kicking early in the straight.
The long sustained run saw Beaten Up hit the front approximately 50m from home as he drew clear for a three-quarter length success.
Stablemate Foreteller powered into second late while Secret Admirer added another Group 1 placing to her record as she finished third.
Manighar’s run ended inside the final 100m and finished just ahead of well fancied stablemate Lights Of Heaven could only manage fifth.
In a field filled with Group 1 winners, Beaten Up’s Doomben Cup victory was assessed at 124.
It came in as the five-year-olds new master Timeform figure, two pounds clear of his prior best achieved when winning the 2011 Group 3 St Simon Stakes (2418m) at Newbury.
From a Doomben Cup perspective, a figure of 124 sits above the prior five year winning average.
The event has been taken out by some well performed middle distance types during that period including Mawingo [122, 2012] and Metal Bender [123, 2010].
Scenic Shot claimed two Doomben Cups during that period in 2009 and 2011.
Beaten Up’s winning figure is the fifth highest during the past two decades with Might And Power sitting atop of that list taking out the 1998 renewal assessed at 128.
Beaten Up’s Doomben Cup victory is an exciting one with connections already eyeing off weight-for-age spring features.
Previously trained by William Haggas, high opinions of Beaten Up have long existed and his latest success further validates them.
William Haggas has already expressed interest in coming to Australia this spring for a tilt at Cox Plate success.
His potential runners could do battle with their former stablemate in the event with Waller and connections already eyeing off the Cox Plate with Beaten Up.
The Beat Hollow gelding will likely have to lift on his last start performance however it appears he does have the upside necessary.
Very lightly raced, Beaten Up has won four of his 11 starts with an additional two minor placings bolstering his record.
The gelding will no doubt have taken benefit from his first Australian preparation as well.
Last Saturday’s Doomben Cup also marked the final racetrack appearances of both Secret Admirer and Lamasery.
Broodmare duties beckon for Secret Admirer and her progeny will no doubt be sought after following an impressive career.
The Grahame Begg-trained mare was a dual Group 1 winner with successes in both the 2010 Flight Stakes (1600m) and also the 2011 Epsom Handicap (1600m).
She was Group 1 placed a further eight times.
Lamasery ran well below expectations in the Doomben Cup as he settled last and only made up minimal ground late to finish eighth.
A flagship horse for Vandyke in his comeback to training, Lamasery exits racing with 11 wins and five minor placings from 25 starts.
The Commands gelding was a multiple Group winner with the 2012 Hill Stakes (2000m) arguably the jewel in his crown.
