Beast Mode to vindicate decision to reject Hong Kong offer

By Glenn Davis

Trainer David Vandyke is hopeful the unbeaten Beast Mode can vindicate his owner’s decision to reject an offer from Hong Kong when the gelding returns in the Three-Year-Old QTIS Jewel Prelude at Eagle Farm on Saturday.

Owners, Beast Bloodstock, rejected a substantial offer from Hong Kong interests following his impressive last start win in a 1000 metre Benchmark race at Eagle Farm on January 4.

It stretched his unbeaten record to three following two home track wins at the Sunshine Coast over the summer.

Beast Mode showed his versatility in his Eagle Farm victory when he sat off the speed to win clearly after leading all the way in his two previous Sunshine Coast victories.

Best Bloodstock is managed by Jarred Magnabosco who paid $80,000 for the son of Better Than Ready at the 2021 Magic Millions sales at the Gold Coast.

After the Hong Kong offer was knocked back, Vandyke decided to target the $500,000 QTIS Jewel over 1200 metres at Doomben on March 18 with Beast Mode.

Vandyke is unsure if Beast Mode will remain in work for the Queensland three-year-old winter features after his QTIS Jewel mission.

“He’s a nice fast horse to have in the stable but he’s had a race or a trial every month since November,” Vandyke said.

“He needs to step up to win this race but he keeps jumping through the hoops.

“I’m not sure if he will be around for the winter races but Saturday’s race will tell us more.

“He hasn’t had a decent break yet so I’ll reassess things after the Prelude.”

Apart from completing a hat-trick of wins last outing, Vandyke was impressed with Beast Mode’s ability to adapt.

“He makes his own luck up front but he showed he can sit off the speed like he did when he won at Eagle Farm,” Vandyke said.

“There was a bit of speed in the race that day and he proved he doesn’t have to lead.

“There looks to be a hell of a lot of speed in Saturday’s race.”

Vandyke can’t recall ever having a starter in the QTIS Jewel Final and is hopeful Beast Mode will be his first.

Beast Mode started his career under Gold Coast trainer Lee Freedman before a short stint with Tony Gollan but never raced for the pair.