Written by Georgie Dennis
The first 2-year-old race of the 2020/21 season was won by the Mathew Ellerton and Simon Zahra-trained General Beau (Brazen Beau) at Flemington on Wednesday.
The 900 metre Darley Spring Preview saw nine juveniles dash down the Flemington straight and it was the Brazen Beau colt who came out on top, winning comfortably by 2.25l.
Coming home in second was the Tom Dabernig and Ben Hayes-trained Written Tycoon colt Finance Tycoon, while a filly from the first Southern Hemisphere crop of Darley shuttler Frosted (USA), The Globe, was 0.75l away in third.
Ridden by Jamie Kah, General Beau looked the ultimate professional as he jumped cleanly from the outside barrier, eased across to lead the field and eventually kicked away to win while still on the bridle.
“That’s probably the quickest we’ve asked him to go today,” Ellerton said. “He got there pretty quick and he’s just been a natural all the way through.
“He’s a strong little horse, he’s one of those ones that came in a bit rough at the start of his prep. It took us 10 days to knock the edge off him and all he’s done is improve ever since.”
Ellerton said General Beau is now likely to head towards the Listed Maribyrnong Trial S. back at Flemington on October 3.
“I imagine he’ll go home and eat up,” the co-trainer said. “He’s adept at the straight now, he’s had two looks at it.
“As long as he pulls up in one piece, we will look at Saturday week.”
“As long as he pulls up in one piece, we will look at Saturday week.” - Mathew Ellerton
Kah was full of praise for the 2-year-old colt, crediting his mature nature for performing so well on debut.
“He’s a beautiful animal,” the jockey said. “I jumped on him here a few weeks back and he was actually the lead pony for the other 2-year-old in the trial, he was that quiet.
“They’ve done a wonderful job, it’s obviously hard to get a 2-year-old here at the best of times but his attitude has just been brilliant all the way through.
“He hasn’t lifted a hair after that, that was just a gallop for him in the end so I’m wrapt with what he put forward today."
Brazen Beau, sire of General Beau | Standing at Darley
Bred and raced by Contract Racing, General Beau is the second foal to race and win out of Lonhro mare Phosphorescence.
Phosphorescence herself is out of G3 VRC Thoroughbred Breeders S. and G3 Blue Diamond Diamond Prelude winner Nediym’s Glow (General Nediym), who has also produced Listed Maribyrnong Trial S. runner-up Double Jeopardy (Exceed And Excel).
General Beau’s third dam is Palace Glow (Palace Music {USA}), who is responsible for multiple stakes winner and G1 South Australian Derby runner-up Red Colossus (Testa Rossa), the stakes-placed Radiant Star (Success Express), and Royal Glow (King’s Best {USA}), the dam of G2 Danehill S. winner Kinglike (Exceed And Excel).
General Beau also becomes the 36th juvenile winner for Darley stallion Brazen Beau who stands at Northwood Park this season for a fee of $49,500 (inc GST).
