Beau stays clear: Van Den Bos wins Bathurst RSL Soldier’s Saddle at first attempt

Lee Van Den Bos had been trying for years to get a horse into Bathurst’s feature ANZAC Day race and when the Orange trainer got her chance she made it count.

Beau Hoffa ($5.50) led from start to finish in Wednesday’s Bathurst RSL Soldier’s Saddle (1,400 metres) under the guidance of jockey Jake Pracey-Holmes.

Brother In Arms ($6.50, Mathew Cahill) and race favourite Mad For Art ($2.60, Greg Ryan) were left to fight it out for the runner-up spot two lengths behind Beau Hoffa.

“We’ve been trying to get a horse into this race for years but we’ve never had anything good enough. This is the first one,” Van Den Bos said.

“Jake rode him last time at Orange and he said to me ‘Give me the ride on him for the Saddle and I’ll win it for you’ and he did.

“He loves to get out in front and cruise and then kick clear at the top. I was happy with the way it was run because it suited him.

“He ran sixth in the Country Championships so he’s been racing well.”

There were a three way battle for the early lead between Beau Hoffa, Mad For Art and Catcha Crown.

Beau Hoffa, going out of barrier one, put on the early speed to keep ahead of Catcha Crown.

Mad For Art slotted in behind Catcha Crown before Brother In Arms moved up along the rail to take a share of third.

At the 400m Catcha Crown began to fade but Mad For Art swung around the outside to mount a challenge.

Brother In Arms clung to the rail as the field straightened for home.

Legistation and Dungannon tracked the Stephen Hill-trained runner and Bjorn Baker’s favourite Mad For Art was making his presence felt.

Beau Hoffa pulled a touch wide during the run for home but Van Den Bos’ contender knuckled down inside the final 200m to bolt away from the field.

Winning jockey Pracey-Holmes said he was willing to start turning the screws on the field early.

“I put the pressure down at the half mile. I knew the horse was fit and ready.

“I rode him last start. I thought he was a moral coming into it just because he drew the one, dropped six kilos from the last start and he likes this track.”

Beau Hoffa has now won his last two starts at Tyers Park.

After finishing an encouraging fifth a fortnight ago on Beau Hoffa Pracey-Holmes knew he was in with a strong chance of taking out Wednesday’s Class 4 feature.

‘He ran an enormous race last start. I ended up outside the leader with blinkers on and he went very keen.

“He ran himself into the ground but only got beaten five lengths.

“With the big weight drop and blinkers off I knew he’d have to be unlucky to get beaten.”

In the battle for second Brother In Arms beat Mad For Art in a photo while Legistation ($9.50) was only a head away in fourth.

Home chance Dungannon ($151), trained by Peter Stanley and ridden by his daughter Ashleigh, put in a brave ride to finish fifth at enormous odds.

Stanley’s other chance, Catcha Crown ($91, Ken Dunbar), faded to finish in ninth.