Caulfield trainer Clinton McDonald shared a special family moment when emerging jumper Beliveau scored a stunning win in yesterday’s second division of the maiden hurdle (3200m).
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
McDonald, a regular at Warrnambool’s carnival, revealed Beliveau’s victory was his 20-year-old daughter Ali’s first as a strapper.
The performance of star jockey Steven Pateman and the five-year-old gelding was impressive. Pateman settled the hot favourite off the pace and rounding the home turn they made their move. They cleared the last of 11 hurdles second behind The Miggstar.
But 200 metres out, they burst clear and streeted the field, easing down a 3¾-length winner from the Eric Musgrove-trained Compelled ($10) while the Darren Weir-prepared Archibar ($9.50) was a further 3¾ lengths away third.
McDonald said he was always confident of a good showing.
“He just loves it,” McDonald said. “He took to jumping naturally. We were pretty confident but you are always nervous.”
It was Beliveau’s first jumps start.
“He relaxes beautifully and that’s the key to any horse that gets over some ground and at the end of two miles he had a turn of foot. He is a horse with a great future.”
McDonald was delighted to be in the winner’s stall.
“I love the Warrnambool carnival. It’s my favourite carnival of the year and we have had a lot of success here.”
McDonald won consecutive Wangoom Handicaps at the carnival with Second Effort in 2012 and 2013.
