Beach Ball impressive in heat win

Amberley harness racing trainer Kevin Chapman has declared Beach Ball is ready for this Saturday’s Alabar Southern Supremacy Stakes following the colt’s win in the last heat in the series at Ascot Park today.

“I couldn’t get a trial into him, so I was just using this race. We’re well on track for the big dance,” he said.

Beach Ball – File photo

Driver Brent Barclay took the Somebeachsomewhere colt straight to the top and he held on to beat Matt Major (who ran about a bit in the home straight) by three quarters of a length. The 2200 metres was cut out on an easy track in a sedate 2-49.6 with the last 800 metres reeled off in 56.1.

The win was the colt’s fifth and he only ran out of the money once when he finished fifth in the Group Two Alabar Three Year Old Classic.

“At the start of the season I wasn’t sure whether he was going to be at the top level. But I now feel he’s pretty close.”

Chapman says the Southern Supremacy was always on his radar, particularly after the horse’s outstanding form in Auckland.

“With the way the season is split I thought it was worth having a go at both the Great Northern Derby and the Supremacy. If he hadn’t come through the northern campaign I wouldn’t have carried on down here.”

Chapman brought Beach Ball south during the week and he’s settled in well at Wendy Swain’s property at Winton.

“It’s home away from home. He never left a thing (feed) when he got down here. And I brought him in at 4 o’clock and he was straight back into his tucker.”

Chapman also raced Beach Ball’s dam Twilight Rascal.

“Michael Bowden was looking for a nice horse at the time so I got him to come in with me and we bought her. Unfortunately, Michael passed away. Twilight Rascal was a lovely mare who won nine. She was one of those mares that if you didn’t do anything with early could really uncoil late. She was a lovely mare, nicely gaited and very easy to get on with. That helped (to negate) the Somebeachsomewhere.”

Although most of the horse’s wins have been from in front, Chapman feels Beach Ball is not a one trick pony.

“The day will come when we can drive him from behind. I think you’ll see a better horse.”

Chapman says Southland based driver Brent Barclay will drive the colt again as the early season driver Tim Williams is committed to his stable drive, Matt Major.

View the Invercargill results click here!

by Bruce Stewart