3 minute read
Danny Beasley is hoping to finally conquer the race that has proven the most slippery throughout his career, the Derby, interestingly with the backdrop of an old score across three generations of horses adding even more intrigue to his quest this Sunday.
The Australian jockey, who has made a remarkable comeback from retirement to vault to the top of the Kranji leaderboard last week, partners one of the leading hopes in the $400,000 Group 1 Singapore Derby (1800m), Rocket Star.
Beasley may not have race-ridden the four-time winner (1100m to 1400m) yet, but he's had a good grasp of the engine under the bonnet from trackwork, not to mention his handy track record.
The extra buzz also comes from Rocket Star's pedigree, and the touch of irony it throws up.
Rocket Star is by Star Witness, who himself is a son of Starcraft, the Australian globetrotting wonder who denied Beasley of an AJC Derby (or Australian Derby over 2400m) by a whisker at Randwick in 2004!
"There's a bit of an interesting backstory behind the ride on Rocket Star," said Beasley, who plied his trade in Sydney for 15 years (1991 to 2006), racking up in excess of 1,500 winners, 14 of them coming at Group 1 level (2003 Golden Slipper on Polar Success the highest accolade) before relocating to Kranji (where he now boasts in excess of 550 winners) in 2006 for what was to become a permanent move (barring 2015).
"Sadly, I've never won a Derby. It's a race that I've always wanted to win. I came close twice with two seconds in the AJC Derby, once with Strasbourg behind Clangalang in 2003 and the following year with Braeloch, beaten by a long head by the champion Starcraft (with Glen Boss up).
"I've also finished second in the Queensland Derby (2400m) on Tempest Morn (2001) for Gai Waterhouse, beaten by De Gaulle Lane who was ridden by Brett Prebble, but the one that hurts the most is Braeloch, and it still hurts watching him get beat on the line on YouTube.
"He was a 100-1 shot. Before the Derby, he had only one win over 2000m in Kembla Grange in March, didn't even run a place in the city - had only one shot at glory but just missed out.
"He was trained by Guy Walter, who was a genius at getting his horses ready for the big races. So, it'd be nice if Rocket Star can pay back for what his grandfather did to me (laughs) 17 years ago!"
Grudge race or not, Beasley knows that, besides their almost spitting-image resemblance (all three are chestnuts with a white stripe), quality runs in the genes, and he is confident he will have a genuine Derby chance under him on Sunday, for an association that has been long time coming, but which was always meant to be.
Beasley had barely dusted off his old boots back in February when trainer Ricardo Le Grange called him to moot the idea of a long-term partnership with Rocket Star. He gladly accepted and helped in his trackwork, even if he didn't quite sign on the dotted line, given he was also committed to Lim's Lightning for good mate and former boss (during his four years as assistant-trainer) Daniel Meagher.
Beasley pulled the right rein. Lim's Lightning went on to win two races, including a Group 1 for good measure, and the head-to-head score with Rocket Star sits at 2-0.
At Lim's Lightning's win in the Group 1 Lion City Cup (1200m) on April 24, Rocket Star ran second, and in the Group 1 Kranji Mile on May 22, Minister scored with Lim's Lightning second and Rocket Star third.
However, Rocket Star is four, but not Lim's Lightning who's five. With no other commitments for the Singapore Derby, for the first time not slated as the third pin of the Singapore Four-Year-Old Challenge (canned this year), Beasley didn't have to think twice when Le Grange rang again.
"When Rocket Star came back from his bleeding attack, Ricardo asked me if long-term, I could ride him in his races," said Beasley.
"I rode him early in his trackwork and trials, but closer to the Lion City Cup, Lim's Lightning came up at the same time. It was a hard decision, but I went Lim's Lightning's way.
"I lost the ride on Rocket Star to Jimmy (Wong Chin Chuen), but it's worked out well. I also rode Lim's Lightning in the Kranji Mile, but I didn't have a ride for the Derby.
"Sun Fortress was supposed to be my Derby horse, but he put in a shocker at his second start. He pulled up with some issues, and I told Desmond (Koh) I would not ride him. The Executioner ran well (fourth) in the Stewards' Cup, but connections decided to give him a break.
"Ricardo rang me up and sounded me out, and I told him I was free for the Derby. I'm very happy and thankful for the opportunity.
"I know he returned lame at his last start, but I've galloped him three times since, and he's perfect to me."
Being the holder of one of the few golden tickets in a race of only nine runners, half of which come under sufferance at the weights and measures, Beasley said it probably gives him his best shot at cracking it for his first Singapore Derby.
"I came the closest with Deep Pockets when he ran second to Chase Me (2012). I was very confident going into the race as he was flying, but we got beaten by eight lengths," he said.
"I think three horses have a chance in the race this year, Mr Malek, Big Hearted and my own horse. It may not be a vintage Derby, but we must not forget the horse population has gone down.
"All three horses would hold their place in any of the past Derbies run here."
Should Beasley get the Derby monkey off his back, it would be the icing on the cake to a fairytale comeback story, even if there is still a fair way to go in the season.
Sunday's double on board King Zoustar and Red Ocean gave the 46-year-old hoop the outright lead in the Singapore jockeys' premiership for the first time, albeit only two winners clear of reigning champion jockey Vlad Duric (28 versus 26 winners).
Not bad at all for someone some feared would be rusty, but the humble rider keeps his feet firmly on the ground. He just wants to express his gratitude for the support – and a superior being from his newfound faith, Islam.
"I can't thank all the trainers enough. It feels quite surreal the way things have gone and the support I've got since I came back," said Beasley who has remarried a local Muslim, Ash, with whom he has three children born in Singapore, Mikayl, a boy and two girls, Phoenix and Sonique, the latest addition at only 20 months of age.
"To be honest, I thought since I was away for quite some time working at Daniel's stables, some trainers would hesitate to support me, but they've been amazing.
"I've actually been very lucky even before I called it quits. I've always enjoyed very good seasons, all I did was go to the races and do my best, and the numbers just came up.
"Like I said before, I came back more because I wanted to do something for the Singapore Turf Club. It's been so good to me over the years that when COVID-19 struck last year I felt I had to help and give something back.
"I also think that my new faith has made me see things clearer. I'm now very comfortable with whatever happens now.
"Everything happens for a reason, good or bad. If something good happens, I just have to be humble and appreciate it, and if something bad happens, I just learn to be at peace and learn from it - Islam has made me stronger.
"Mind you, I was never that religious, and my wife never gave me any pressure to convert. Growing up in Australia, I was not exposed to different cultures and religions, but in Singapore, it's such a multi-cultural country and the Government is always encouraging people to live in racial harmony.
"Once I started to learn about Islam, it actually opened my mind about other religions as the fundamentals are quite similar – to understand and respect each other, and that everyone is equal.
"I think it has also been particularly helpful with COVID-19 having exposed us to this period of mental stress we all live in now."
