By MIKE DILLON
Rising star Beacon gets a change-of-plans crack at Saturday's $A200,000 Villiers Stakes at Randwick.
The impressive winner of six of his 11 starts was flown to Sydney last night for a one-race hit on the group two 1600m feature.
Beacon was to be in the spelling paddock after winning on Avondale Cup day, preparing for the $A2.5 million Doncaster Handicap at Randwick at Easter.
But the opportunity to give the talented galloper the experience of his first flight and a look at Randwick was too attractive.
"He's done so well since he won at Avondale," said co-trainer Colleen Wood yesterday.
"He's right on top of his game and he's had only the five runs this campaign.
" If he's going to go on to bigger and better things then this is a good opportunity for him to familiarise himself with the flight and Australian conditions."
Regardless of the result on Saturday, Beacon will be flown home immediately to spell.
Sydney jockey Lenny Beasley has been engaged to ride the horse.
Australian Jockey Club racing manager Colin Tuck said the Australian opposition would not be particularly strong.
Hawkesbury Cup winner Huge Demand, dropping back from a middle distance, was likely to be close to favourite.
"Mr Bureaucrat has some form and last year's winner Final Fantasy went a nice first-up race last week, but whether he's seasoned enough for a hard 1600m is another thing."
Huge Demand was ridden by Michael Walker to win the Hawkesbury Cup and will have Glen Boss in the saddle on Saturday.
"He will be hard to beat," said Graeme Rogerson's stable foreman Mark Fraser-Campin.
"He was only narrowly beaten by Final Fantasy in the Villiers last year after winning the Hawkesbury Cup, so he's got a bit to prove this time."
Takanini-trained Volkaire was on the same flight last night also heading for the Villiers.
Volkaire finished second to an outstanding performance by One Under at Te Rapa on Saturday and will appreciate the step up to 1600m this week.
Similarly, Volkaire is having only the one start in Australia - he returns home on Saturday night. He will be ridden at Randwick by Grant Cooksley.
Volkaire has been given 54.5kg and Beacon 52kg in the Villiers.
* * *
Class mare Platonic showed she was on target for the $150,000 Highview Stud Trophy on the last day of the Ellerslie carnival on January 2 when she scored under a hold at the Paeroa trials yesterday.
Trainer Graham Richardson is delighted with the way Platonic has trained on since winning in group class at Sandown last month.
"Furnish was also travelling well just behind her in the trial, but Leith Innes said the mare was travelling beautifully," said Richardson.
In the Highview, Platonic will meet One Under, who swept past Volkaire in the closing stages at Te Rapa like a horse going on to further group one success.
* * *
Champion Australian jockey Damien Oliver has been comfirmed as the rider for Cullen in the McDonogh Handicap on New Year's Day.
Fresh back from riding Falvelon to win the Hong Kong Sprint on Sunday, Oliver says he wants to ride in New Zealand next month rather than heading to Perth, like some other leading eastern states riders, for the West Australian carnival.
He has also committed himself to Kaapeon in the $350,000 Auckland Cup.
Racing: Beacon and Volkaire pair up for assault on Villiers
AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.