Godolphin's Amusing has last laugh at Rosehill races
Godolphin assistant trainer Darren Beadman enjoyed a bittersweet triumph at Rosehill on Saturday as the promising filly Amusing scored a determined win, bringing joy to a stable nearing a major transformation.
With Godolphin's current private training model set to be replaced by a public training framework next season, the win was a poignant reminder of the stable's ongoing class and competitiveness.
Trainer James Cummings, who has been at the helm of Godolphin's Australian operation, is set to relocate to Hong Kong for the 2026-27 season, and Beadman’s future is yet to be officially announced.
But Beadman chose to savour the present, praising Amusing’s victory in the Stuart Macdermid Handicap (1500m) as a timely reward for the team’s hard work.
“Great for the team. The time is coming to a close and it will put a spring in everybody’s step,” Beadman said.
The three-year-old daughter of Masar, making just her sixth race appearance, had been showing promise in recent starts and finally converted that into a breakthrough win under Alysha Collett’s measured ride.
“Her two runs in this time have been tremendous and she has been a little bit unlucky on both occasions. She probably should have finished a lot closer,” Beadman noted.
“Alysha gave her a beautiful ride, just balanced her up lovely and let her chime into the run.
“She was a little bit flat-footed at the top of the straight but she is by an English Derby winner and there is a lot of upside to her and a lot of ceiling left.”
Amusing ($8.50) stormed home late to claim victory by a short head over favourite Sister Daae ($4.40), with Mr Verse closing in for third, just half a head further behind.
The win capped off a strong day for Godolphin, with stablemates Corniche and Kerguelen also registering top-three finishes.
Earlier in the day, apprentice jockey Anna Roper was thrown from Pony Soprano after an incident in the Highway Handicap but fortunately walked away without major injury and was later examined by medics.
Amusing’s victory proved a rewarding result for those who backed her through trusted betting sites.
More Racing News
Melbourne Cup hopes boosted for Ciaron Maher runners after handicapping
Juja Kibo has taken a significant step towards a Melbourne Cup start, receiving a revised handicap following his impressive victory in The Metropolitan last Saturday.The chief handicapper for Racing Victoria, David Hegan, assigned the Ciaron Maher-trained stayer a 2kg penalty for the $10 million event, acknowledging his dominant 1-3/4-length win...
Crescent King set for Brian Crowley Stakes after Warwick Farm triumph
While Crescent King has not yet been tested in Saturday races, a commanding win at Warwick Farm on Monday could well have earned him a start in Stakes company.The Written Tycoon colt, a three-year-old, now boasts two wins from as many starts this preparation after he reeled in the speedy...
Attrition set for another tilt at the Hill Stakes
Mitch Freedman's primary focus at Flemington last Saturday was on the Group 2 Gilgai Stakes, which he claimed with Skybird, but he was also an interested observer of the Turnbull Stakes.The Ballarat trainer expressed his satisfaction at seeing Cosmic Crusader achieve a dominant 1-3/4-length victory in the 2000-metre Group 1...
Welcometotheshow primed for Toorak Handicap tilt
Trainer Tyler Donaldson-Aitken is preparing to mark a significant career milestone, readying his first Group 1 contender, Welcometotheshow.The race targeted for Welcometotheshow is the highly anticipated Toorak Handicap, a 1600-metre event at Caulfield this Saturday. This comes after the gelding secured his inaugural Stakes race victory at Flemington on September...
Flying For Fun targets Schillaci Stakes after impressive return
Bryce Heys has opted to keep Flying For Fun at shorter distances for now, with the mare's next start set to be in Melbourne for the Schillaci Stakes.The dual stakes winner is expected to be nominated for the 1100m sprint at Caulfield on Saturday. This comes after a promising return...
Close call as Skybird narrowly wins Gilgai Stakes
Depending on when you are reading this, trainer Mitchell Freedman and favourite backers may only just have exhaled as a unique characteristic nearly brought Skybird undone in the Gilgai Stakes at Flemington.Sent out the $2.90 market elect, Skybird looked set for an easy victory as jockey Ben Melham eased the...
Cosmic Crusader's Turnbull Stakes victory points to Cox Plate tilt
Pakenham trainer Andrea Leek has celebrated her most substantial success to date as Cosmic Crusader triumphed in the Turnbull Stakes at Flemington. Leek is now aiming for an even greater prize, hoping to return to headquarters for Australia's premier weight-for-age race, the Cox Plate, with the Perth-owned galloper.The prestigious Cox...
Premiere Stakes victory for Tempted seals Everest start
Tempted has made a powerful statement with her commanding win in the Premiere Stakes at Randwick, effectively securing her owner Godolphin's slot in The Everest and signalling her readiness to challenge Hong Kong's elite sprinter Ka Ying Rising.The official confirmation is awaited, but Tempted is expected to represent the global...
Mr Monaco books Melbourne Cup ticket with Flemington win
The Ciaron Maher stable has successfully gained another 'Golden Ticket' to the Melbourne Cup thanks to Mr Monaco's triumph at Flemington.Mr Monaco triumphed in the Group 3 The Bart Cummings (2500m) at Flemington on Saturday, thereby securing a ballot exemption into the Melbourne Cup (3200m) scheduled for November 3.Previously, Shockletz...
Sam Clipperton makes triumphant return with Group 2 Metropolitan win on Juja Kibo
Jockey Sam Clipperton marked his most significant success since his return from retirement by guiding Juja Kibo to victory in the Randwick staying feature, The Metropolitan, a race now designated as Group 2.Clipperton had stepped away from the saddle just over a year after his 2023 Everest triumph on Think...