Quality galloper Beauden (NZ) (Bullbars) tuned up for a Group One assignment when a comfortable winner at the Taupo trials on Monday in an Open heat over 1225m.
The Team Rogerson-prepared chestnut has had a short break since finishing seventh in the Gr.1 Livamol Classic (2040m) and will step out in the Gr.1 Rydges Wellington Captain Cook Stakes (1600m) at Trentham on December 4.
“He will run in the Captain Cook and then the Manawatu Cup (Gr.3, 2300m),” Graeme Rogerson said.
“I’m happy with him. He had a bit of a freshen up after Hastings.
“He trialled today and I didn’t go today due to the Covid restrictions, but Ryan (Elliot, jockey) said he did it very well.
“I think he is a handicap horse that has raced his way up to weight-for-age.”
Beauden has a good affinity with Awapuni, where he has won eight of his 11 starts.
