Beadman, Tuesday Joy Team Up for Win

Champion jockey Darren Beadman is a genius, according to leviathan owner John Singleton after the elated owner watched the rider steer his mare Tuesday Joy to a group I victory at Canterbury Park in Sydney April 5.

Beadman, who was specifically asked by Singleton to fly from his home in Hong Kong to ride the mare in the feature, was on board for just the second time in the mare's 16-start history. Fittingly, Tuesday Joy, (Carnegie-Joie Denise) who started the race favorite, won her third race here. It was her second group I win and the second win Beadman has had on her. He was aboard for her initial group I win in the Coolmore Stakes this time last year. She had not won a race in between those rides.

Mind you, her form has been superb, having earned now Aus$1,465,900 in purse money from four group I placings.

Tuesday Joy, named by Singleton when she was a yearlng because he believed one day she would line up in the group I Melbourne Cup (always run on a Tuesday), took a step toward that by producing a stunning staying effort to comfortably win the group I Ranvet Stakes over 9 1/2 furlongs. The race was worth Aus$400,000 (about U.S.$380,000).

Beadman had her parked in third spot behind a hot tempo from the outset and simply outrode all his peers. Peter Mertens who rode  multiple group I winner Sirmione, seemed to get completely lost on his mount , giving him no chance by being too far back from the outset , then adding insult to injury by having him make his charge from last on the bend, 10 horses wide. "He was a bit fresh today. Once he got into the back straight he got on his wrong leg and got wider and wider and wider," said Mertens about Sirmione. To wind up in sixth spot in the field of 10 was a great effort.

But all accolades belong to Tuesday Joy, who convincingly beat the fast finishing New Zealand visitor Princess Coup (by Encosta de Lago) and the grand old war horse of Australian racing, 9-year-old Desert War (by Desert King), who tried to lead all the way. He is back and will be hard to beat in anything he contests hence forth.

The race was run in the time of 1:55.43 seconds and they ran home the final three furlongs in :35.81. A jubilant Beadman added his thoughts to the debate that now surrounds Tuesday Joy. Her trainer (Gai Waterhouse) wants her to head toward the $2.5-million BMW Stakes over 12 furlongs, while her owner Singleton wants to take on the superstars in the upcoming $1 million Doncaster Handicap over a mile.

"She never hit the bridle throughout the race. She will stay all day," Darren Beadman said about Tuesday Joy. That may encourage Singo to aim her at the longer race where she does look better placed as it will be easier than taking on Weekend Hussler in the Doncaster.

"That was an excellent run and she'll be much better suited at Rosehill in the BMW," Princess Coup's jockey Damien Oliver said. There is no debate as to what race she is headed for.