Ryan snares Beadman in Slipper coup

By Mandy Cottell

SYDNEY, March 11 AAP - Champion jockey Darren Beadman is on standby to ride promising colt Hinchinbrook in the $3.5 million Golden Slipper.

Hugh Bowman will partner the youngster in the Group Three Skyline Stakes (1200m) at Randwick on Saturday but is committed to Solar Charged in the world's richest two-year-old race.

Trainer Gerald Ryan sounded out the Hong Kong-based Beadman about the Slipper mount and confirmed he would be Hinchinbrook's new rider should the juvenile emulate his three-quarter brother Snitzel and win the Skyline.

"If he wins on Saturday Darren Beadman is riding him in the Slipper," Ryan said.

Hinchinbrook is equal second favourite for the Skyline at $6 along with Ilovethiscity with Blue Diamond Stakes placegetter Beneteau dominating betting at $1.65.

While Hinchinbrook has raced just once for an impressive win in the Canonbury Stakes last month, the more seasoned Beneteau will go into the Skyline with three runs under his belt, including two wins.

Ryan concedes the Paul Messara-trained colt is the one to beat despite drawing the outside barrier in the field of seven.

Hinchinbrook has gate three.

"I've got a lot of respect for Beneteau," Ryan said.

"He's got race experience, he's tougher and stronger. He's got everything on his side.

"I've really got no idea how much ability Hinchinbrook has got because he doesn't show anything on the track, he is so laid-back and lazy."

Ryan won the Skyline Stakes with Snitzel in 2005, the last time the race was run at Canterbury before moving venues when the Canterbury Guineas (1900m) was transformed into the Randwick Guineas (1600m).

While the tight-turning track suited Snitzel's jump-and-run style, the expanses of Randwick will likewise help Hinchinbrook who settles off the speed.

"Snitzel won the race at his favourite track of Canterbury which is a speed track and this horse is at Randwick which will suit him much better than Canterbury would," Ryan said.

Hinchinbrook was a $21 Slipper chance with TAB Sportsbet on Thursday with betting headed by Solar Charged at $4.60 ahead of Beneteau at $7.

Ryan is yet to win a Golden Slipper although he came close with Paint who beat all but Merlene in 1996.

Beadman has won the Slipper twice, the first time as an apprentice aboard Inspired in 1984 before claiming his second on Guineas 13 years later.

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