Beefeater wins 2018 Platinum Homes Taranaki Cup Group 3 NZ$80,000 at Pukekura Raceway (NZ), 1800m.
Twice stakes placed last year Beefeater broke through for his maiden stakes win and his sixth career win in 23 starts with a gutsy effort here. He settled midfield, one off the fence around the far turn as well as down the back.
Jockey Rosie Myers set him alight at the 600m and they accelerated very quickly (five wide) to claim the lead into the straight. Under a hard ride Beefeater clung to the lead and gamely held on until the post arrived, surviving by a neck.
Scapolo was last at the 600m, improved steadily yet widest turning in and kept up a strong run, looking to collar the winner but the latter fought back.
A top run from Travimyfriend who was among the last few into the straight and finished well through the middle to grab a good third just short of the line from Brighton who tried hard down the straight only to lose third late.
