Duca gives Beadman first stakes win

Godolphin’s interim, Australian head trainer Darren Beadman landed his first stakes winner when Duca Valentinois impressively won the Listed Darley Scone Cup at Scone on Friday. 

Beadman, a former champion jockey, took over the preparation of the Australian team last Sunday and has led in five winners in his first six days in the job. 

Ridden by Michael Dee, Duca Valentinois showed the benefit of a quiet ride in midfield until 400 metres from home, dashing clear over the final stages to score by a length-and-a-half from God’s In Him. 

"The key to him is to switch him off, and Mick Dee did it perfectly," Beadman said. 

"If you get the first half mile right with him, the rest will work out.” 

Duca Valentinois had won two races in Ireland before being sent to Australia where he has now won three times. 

Dee said Beadman had given him specific instructions that led to the perfect outcome. 

“Daren told me exactly about the horse and what I should be doing,” he said. 

“He relaxed beautifully and coming to the 600m he was getting stronger and stronger. I can’t thank the Godolphin team enough.” 

Duca Valentinois was the second Godolphin winner at the Darley-sponsored meeting with the Medaglia D’Oro filly Sisken earlier taking out the ungraded Turangga Farm Handicap.