Beau Dazzler takes unorthodox path to Winx Guineas at Sunshine Coast

Tony and Maddy Sears have made a bold move with their top-line galloper Beau Dazzler, dropping him back 800m for the Winx Guineas on Saturday.

It’s unconventional and quirky but Tony Sears reckons dropping his colt back 800m in distance might just be a masterstroke as he prepares to line up in Saturday’s $300,000 Group 3 Winx Guineas.

It’s not every day you see a horse dropping so far in distance but that’s what Beau Dazzler will be doing as he aims up in the Guineas over 1600m after last being seen in the Group 1 Queensland Derby over 2400m.

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Beau Dazzler is a $14 chance in the Group 3 Guineas on the Sunshine Coast with some punters not quite sure what to make of the left-field blueprint.

Beau Dazzler copped a wide run in the Derby when being beaten more than nine lengths but Sears, who co-trains with daughter Maddy, now believes the colt’s sweet spot could potentially be 1800m.

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Sears feels you need a horse who runs a strong 1800m to win the 1600m Guineas given the expansive nature of the big Sunshine Coast track.

“We were going to spell him after the Derby, but he hadn’t had many runs this campaign,” Sears said.

Beau Dazzler will line up in the Winx Guineas over 1600m after being last seen in the Group 1 Queensland Derby over 2400m. Picture: Trackside Photography

“He was only third-up into the Derby and I’m not sure whether training him for a Derby really suited him.

“We decided to set him for the Winx Guineas because we figured that you needed a horse who could run 1800m to win the Guineas and he certainly is that.

“He hasn’t raced for a while and he had a few days in the paddock and he’s fresh and going well.

“I am now thinking he is a really good mile to 1800(m) horse.

“I know on Saturday that the distance will be no problem at all and he handles the sting out of the track.”

Trainers Tony Sears (far right) and Maddy Sears (left) with Beau Dazzler. Picture: Grant Peters, Trackside Photography.

Regular rider Jag Guthmann-Chester will again partner Beau Dazzler who has drawn barrier nine in the Winx Guineas, the race so named because it was the start of Winx’s famous 33-race winning streak in 2015.

Paul Shailer-trained Mister Bianco, who wears the same colours as Winx and is part-owned by Peter Tighe, is the $3.40 favourite for the Winx Guineas off the back of three successive wins.

But Mister Bianco has drawn wide and punters must also note he has never raced beyond 1400m before.

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Meanwhile, Sears is certain his speedy sprinter Steady Ready is the one to beat as the $3.10 favourite in the $200,000 Open Plate (1000m).

Steady Ready was well beaten when resuming in the Lightning Handicap at Eagle Farm last month but Sears said there were clear excuses.

“He had a few issues when he last raced, he galloped on his heel and he was lame for a week afterwards,” Sears said.

“But we took him and trialled him at Beaudesert and I thought he went really good.

“If he is back to his best, which I think he is, he is the one they all have to beat.”

Originally published as Beau Dazzler takes unorthodox path to Winx Guineas at Sunshine Coast