Patience pays as Barry's boy back on track for St Arnaud Cup

Barry Beasley is trusting the healing powers of Mother Nature as he heads into the St Arnaud Trotters Cup with his lightly raced six- year- old Archleo.

A finalist in both the 2YO and 3YO Breeders Crown, Archleo completed a hat trick of wins two and a half years ago before being sidelined with a mystery back ailment.

“We knew there was a problem with his back but couldn’t find what the issue was,” Beasley said.

“We had the chiropractor look at him and the vet did a nerve block but they found nothing."

So that’s when Beasley decided to let Mother Nature strut her stuff.

“I reckoned that a scan would result in the horse spending time in the paddock so I thought I’d save myself $1000 and send him for an 18-month spell,” he said.

At this point Beasley believes he has pulled the right rein.

“Whatever the issue was it’s now gone,” he said.

Beasley put the son of Wishing Well back in work eight months ago.

“He had done a power of trackwork and had two trials prior to his first up run at Maryborough,” he said.

Archleo subsequently locked wheels at the start before finishing midfield on the first day of the Redwood Carnival.

A $13,000 purchase at the yearling sales, Archleo initially didn’t impress Beasley.

“I was standing at the top of the ring with someone and commented that I wouldn’t buy him as he looked as if he would knock his knee,” he said.

“Next thing he is knocked down to my brother-in-law.”

Archleo has banked more than $72,000 in prizemoney and Beasley believes he can add to that tally at St Arnaud.

“He is off 10 metres but there are only three off the front so he should settle close up and he doesn’t give up, he is full of heart,” he said.

Charlton based trainer Shane Sanderson will launch a two-pronged attack on the St Arnaud Pacing Cup with Vanquish Stride to be driven by his son Ryan and Sahara Sirocco with his daughter Abby in charge of the reins.

“Sahara Sirocco is probably the best horse in the race but from the outside of the second row I’ll have to try and lob a spot early and rely on a good tempo, he is just as good coming with one run as he is in front,” said Abby.

Sanderson though has plenty of respect for Vanquish Stride who should appreciate a drop in class from his recent outings.

“Vanquish Stride is the fastest horse we’ve got over the last 400 metres if he can get a nice sit in the race,” she said.