Tessera primed for dashing return

Godolphin trainer Darren Beadman believes Tessera has overcome a debilitating run at Eagle Farm and is primed for a successful return at Randwick.

The three-year-old needed a freshen-up after plodding home second last on the controversial Brisbane track last month when he trailed Group Three Fred Best Classic (1400m) winner Niccanova by 20 lengths.

Tessera didn’t have much luck in-running but jockey James Doyle admitted the horse simply did not handle the track rated heavy despite no rain leading into the meeting.

“He’s taken a while to get over a hard run on a very heavy track at Eagle Farm, but he’s picked up well,” Beadman said.

Tessera runs in the Winter Dash (1200m) and Beadman says he should not be judged on his effort on a track subsequently placed off limits.

He said the gelding’s close third in the Group Three Gold Coast Guineas (1200m) on May 6 was a more accurate gauge.

“That was a better indication of his form and we’re happy to be taking on the older horses here at this time of the season,” Beadman said.

Tessera had a barrier trial at Warwick Farm last week to tune up and ran well when second to stablemate Ghostly who runs in a 1200m-benchmark race on Saturday.

“He (Tessara) was fine. He came through it well,” Beadman said.

Tessera, the TAB’s $3.60 favourite on Thursday, has a win and second on his record from three starts on heavy ground which he is likely to get at Randwick.

Beadman, who will be in Brisbane focusing on Kinshachi in the Group One Tatt’s Tiara, has another half dozen runners in Sydney including debutants Regimen ($137) and Evict ($7) in the 2YO Plate (1200m).

They are joined by stablemates Florid ($13) and Coorg ($13).

Beadman thought four-year-old Old North ($6) was capable of further improvement in the Racing To Win Handicap (1600m) after a last-start third at Rosehill on June 3 when he made amends for over-racing when last in the Listed Luskin Star Stakes in mid-May.

“There doesn’t look to be a lot of speed in the race. Hopefully he can get a nice run in the race. It was a positive run the other day, better than Scone,” Beadman said.