Bathurst’s own harness racing “war horse” Beetson showed there’s still life in his 11-year-old legs with an awesome win in the $31,800 Group 3 Wagga Pacers Cup on Sunday afternoon.
The remarkable pacer, trained at The Lagoon by Peter Trevor-Jones, scored at the lucrative odds of $41 and, in the process, smashed the track record.
“I can honestly say that it’s all a bit of a blur. I’m just so emotional because we didn’t expect him to do so well against some handy horses,” Trevor-Jones said.
“I’ve been ribbed by a few of my mates who told me I should have got dressed up a bit more for the occasion,” he laughed.
Beetson (Art Major USA-Erin Jean (Classic Garry) scored by a whisker from $2.40 favorite Courtsinsession (Mitch Turnbull), with a further four metres back to Rykov Leis (Ellen Rixon).
Trevor-Jones races the pacer in partnership with Rod and Debbie Wenning and said it was a miracle the horse was back at the racetrack, let alone winning.
“His two comeback races prior to the Wagga Cup were quite good, although each occasion he arrived at the right time to poke his big head out and get the win,” he said.
“And then sure enough he does exactly that again in the Cup – but gee it was a relief when I saw his saddlecloth number nine go up after the photo finish!”
Trophy presentation after the cup
Beetson took out the Bathurst Gold Crown nine years ago (as a two-year-old) and has a Canola Cup and Carousel to his name.
“If I was a punter, I’d be a rich man. He was 33/1 in the Gold Crown and 40/1 in the Carousel. And I’ve been told a few friends got as much as 100/1 in the Wagga Cup.
“Those earlier wins were pretty special, but this is among his biggest wins for sure for me
“I’m so proud of him. It’s just a terrific story that he’s back racing and in super form.”
Trevor-Jones said the pacer had a bubble on a tendon as a three-year-old and, realizing he was a horse with loads of ability, didn’t hesitate to give him 12 months off.
“When he came back, he won the Canola Cup and there was never an issue with the tendon problem again,” he said.
“We raced him here, there and everywhere, winning the $50,000 Carousel in 2014, and last year I thought it would be nice to have him win 40 races in his career.
“He was getting close with a couple of wins last March and April at Young and West Wyalong, and then we went to Goulburn and ran second.
“He pulled up extremely sore in the back, so we got the vet to check him out.
“A tear in a hind suspensory was the diagnosis and the vet recommended a 12-month spell. We thought the injury at the age of 10 would be the end of him, so I took his shoes off and he went to a paddock with some young ones.
“We were happy with the decision because he had two Group Two victories to his name.”
Trevor-Jones said Beetson had a white foot and it was always getting greasy heel.
“I went out and caught him one day to check on it and he was carrying on like a two-year-old, tossing his head around as if to say he wasn’t happy in retirement,” he said.
“I rang Rod and told him I was putting shoes back on and we’d see where it took us. He had four weeks jogging and then I worked him against a few of my others who were winning, and the old fella blew them away, without any sign of a back problem.
“And then a Bathurst trial win in 1.54 showed us that he still had it. I really didn’t think his old legs could do it. It’s just remarkable.”
Trevor-Jones paid tribute to teenage reinsman Cameron Hart who drove a patient race to claim the spoils.
“Cameron is a young guy who is going places. He comes from Junee and has pretty good pedigree. His uncle, Trevor White, is a well-known astute horseman,” he said.
“The horses just run for Cameron and we are so pleased he was a big part in the Cup success.”
A jubilant Peter Trevor-Jones and driver Cameron Hart after Beetson’s last-stride victory in the Wagga Wagga Pacers Cup
Hart settled four back the pegs early, as the leading brigade of Rykos Leis and Courtsinsession set a frenetic pace. With a little over a lap from home, he was able to move off the fence with Beetson into the one-out one-back spot.
Turning around the final corner, Hart called upon Beetson for a late challenge and the horse responded nicely, getting there in the last bound to snatch the Cup.
The quarters posted were quick— 28.2, 29.6, 27.9 and 28.6.
Trevor-Jones admitted “the whole camp had a regroup” yesterday and he hadn’t had a chance to consider what would be next for Beetson.
“He’s pulled up brilliantly, eating a big feed so there’s no problem there,” he said.
“I really don’t know where he will race next as he certainly threw a massive spanner in the works, but what a pleasant surprise!
“I’ll have a close look at things because I’ve spent his whole life trying to place him well.”
And that certainly goes without saying as Beetson now has an incredible 42 wins and 63 placings for over $413,000 in stakes.
Trevor-Jones has been in harness racing for nearly 40 years. He learnt the ropes through mentor Ian Mutton, then, as a hobby trainer while he continued working in a Government job, got a group of friends together and bought a yearling.
The interest then led to a full-time professional training career. Trevor-Jones now has a team of nine in work. Beetson still leads the way, although his half-brother, the talented Ominious Warning, is waiting in the wings to be number one.
Terry Gange
NewsAlert PR Mildura