HE was one of the best modern-day pacers to grace the racetrack.
SOMEBEACHESOMEWHERE was defeated just once in a 21-start career, whilst banking $3.3 million dollars in the process and taking a lifetime mark of 1:46.4 seconds.
Winning everything of note as a two and three-year-old in North America, his stud career was highly anticipated and the expectation was extreme.
Before his untimely passing in 2017, he had produced a champion of his own in CAPTAIN TREACHEROUS who is now highly regarded as the hottest pacing stallion in the world, although there has seemingly been a thought process that ‘Beach’ did not reach the heights expected as a sire.
His current crop of two-year-olds could change that in Australia.
How about this for a list five months into a freshman season: MY ULTIMATE BYRON, BEACH VILLA, PETILLANTE, SORRENTO, BEACH MUSIC and KHAFAJI. I am certain there are others I have missed.
My Ultimate Byron completed the unthinkable in his APG final at Menangle when rating 1:52.4 after sizzling through the first quarter in 25.4 seconds. He could be anything.
KHAFAJI created a brilliant impression last night in a decisive debut victory, whereas BEACH VILLA is strong, fast and untapped.
Despite not being with us anymore, Somebeachsomewhere’s presence could have an unrivalled impact on our remaining juvenile features this season.
COVID has provided very little positive change in the last 12 months, in fact only one springs to mind.
The TAB Regional Championships were born last year when the Million Dollar Pace was not able to be run due to regional racing.
That meant four sets of owners, breeders, trainers, drivers and connections had an opportunity to race for $100,000 each.
This year, the series has been well supported once more and with the addition of the $100,000 Super Final next Saturday an overall champion will be crowned.
Gemma Hewitt recorded her first Group 1 training success when Luke McCarthy steered Keayang Kreuzer to success in the Western Region Final on Wednesday. A plan six months in the making, the son of Somebeachsomewhere (you guessed it!) was able to utilise his good gate to find himself in front, before his fierce stablemate wrestled that position away from him with a lap to go.
With plenty of bullets to fire at the top of the lane, he was able to hold off the late challenge of CRAZY SHIPPO, whereas KASH US BACK ran third providing Gemma with a one-three result.
The daughter of Bernie and Cath Hewitt, Gemma has a lifetime of experience in the game learning from some of the best minds in the business whilst her short driving career of under 12 months has been quite extraordinary.
With the support of Wayne and Julie Loader, a plan was hatched in December last year to target this series.
“I took a little break in December at the Gold Coast and I was only up there for a day when Wayne Loader gave me a ring and after asking me how my holiday was, asked if I could look at a list of horses for sale on the Trading Ring,” she said during On The Pace Thursday morning.
“The Keayang guys had about eight or 10 listed as a clearing sale and I did a fair bit of research on them all with some spelling, some were too old, some where too young and others were a bit high in grade”.
Keayang Kreuzer was her choice that she felt ticked all the boxes, and she was spot on.
The duo will now look ahead to another Group 1 next Saturday evening at Menangle when they proudly fly for the flag for the West in the Super Final.
The action now turns to Newcastle this evening before Menangle has its turn to shine tomorrow night and Wagga will wrap up proceedings on Sunday evening.
Sky Racing Active will be your place to catch all the TAB Regional Championships action over the coming days with extended coverages from right across the state.
GLOUCESTER Park’s card this evening is some treat!
Highlighted by the return of CHICAGO BULL in the fourth event on the card, that is certainly not where the star power ends.
LAVRA JOE will be looking to atone for his WA Derby defeat when he lines up from the inside gate as a very short-priced favourite in the 3yo Pearl Classic. Despite being beaten in his heat last week, MIGHTY RONALDO’s performance was still full of merit and he has proven he is capable of turning the tables on Lavra Joe.
NEWSY for Team Bond has also been dealt the inside alley in the fillies Diamond Classic, whereas her foe from last week ALWAYS AN ANGEL has drawn out in six for the lethal combination of Justin Prentice and Gary Hall Jnr.
Remember To Fast To Serious? He went on a winning rampage through the middle part of last year before being dealt some horror draws throughout the Summer and eventually heading to the paddock.
The Ray Williams trainee returns in the third event on the card which features a host of up and comers destined for the free for all ranks in the months to come.
Best bet of the weekend – R4 N1 Albion Park Saturday ‘Turn It Up’
Value best of the weekend – R2 N10 Menangle Saturday ‘Royal Gamble’
Brittany Graham is a regular host on Sky Racing and the Sky Racing Active app, plus In The Gig with Ben Way and Gareth Hall every Tuesday night on Sky Racing 2 from 6pm.
The opinions expressed in The Forum are those of the author and may not be attributed to or represent policies of Harness Racing Victoria, which is the state authority and owner of thetrots.com.au.