Snowden eyes big run from Beadman in Gold Coast Guineas return

Talented three-year-old colt Beadman is set to revisit his top moment's location as trainer Peter Snowden aims for history to repeat in the Group Three Gold Coast Guineas.

Last year's Ken Russell Memorial Classic (1200m) on this card delivered the colt's signature win by eight lengths in dominant style, and now he makes his circuit comeback ahead of Saturday's 1200m showdown.

"He's a good traveller and going back to the scene of the best win he's ever had, so hopefully he can match that on Saturday," Snowden said.

Beadman has shown inconsistent form this time in, starting strong with a gritty success in the Fireball Quality (1100m) at Randwick before lacklustre efforts in the Darby Munro Stakes (1200m) and Arrowfield 3YO Sprint (1200m).

His freshest start involved racing wide all the way and weakening late, which saw Snowden send him for trial gallops to reconsider optimal handling.

"From those wide gates, we've been forced to go forward on him, and I don't think it's the way to ride him," he said.

"A bit more conservative might be the way to go.

"He won that day at the Gold Coast by (almost) ten lengths by jumping and leading, but I think it was a false read because the track was a bog. He is a good wet tracker, a lot of horses didn't handle it and he did, and he just got further and further in front, so he might have been a bit flattered by the track.

"In my mind, his best runs have been when he's just sitting off the speed."

James McDonald continues his association with Beadman in a strong endorsement, with the colt allocated barrier eight amid the 16 starters.

The trainer has a strong legacy in the Guineas, claiming victory in four of the previous 20 runnings, including Marboosha's success in 2021.

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