Ken Casellas | Photo: PACEPIX
Those people who watched in awe when two-year-old Beetastic sprouted wings and flew home, out six wide, from 12TH position 250m from the post to score a thrilling win in a blanket finish to the group 1 2200m Caduceus Club Classic for fillies at Alexandra Park in September 2024 were convinced that they had witnessed an up-and-coming champion pacer.
However, Beetastic failed to win and managed only five placings from eleven starts in New Zealand last year, and the jury was out regarding her racing future.
But WA trainer Michael Young and a band of his stable’s faithful clients had faith in the now four-year-old mare, who they purchased for a six-figure amount in January this year.
Beetastic produced a glimpse of her undoubted ability at her first Australian start, at Gloucester Park on Friday night, when she was in second gear as she scored an effortless victory in the 1730m APG Mixed Sale Pace.
The $1.10 favourite was dashed straight to the front from the No. 3 barrier by Emily Suvaljko, and after a modest lead time of 7.7sec. and quarters of 29.6sec., 31.4sec. and 40.1sec. she sprinted over the final 400m in 28sec. and won by almost three lengths from $41 chance Batavia West, who trailed her throughout. She rated 1.58.
Young said that he was keen to buy Beetastic because of her excellent breeding. She is by champion sire Bettors Delight and is a half-sister to one of the stable’s star performers Hugotastic, who promises to improve significantly on his career record of 27 starts for seven wins, eleven placings and $157,005 in stakes.
Beetastic is also a full-sister to retired pacers Bettor Get It On (51 starts for 11 wins, 19 placings and $191,675) and Mr Fantastic (56 starts for 15 wins, nine placings and $176,136) and Narobi (26 starts for eight wins, 14 placings and $55,478).
Its All On, the dam of those pacers, was exported from New Zealand to Western Australia a few years ago, and she produced a filly by Downbytheseaside, who was purchased by Ryan Bell for $30,000 at the 2025 Perth APG yearling sale and was named Game On Girls. After that, Its All On was in foal to Bettors Delight, but died when having the foal, who did not survive.
“There wasn’t much exciting in tonight’s race,” said Young. “Beetastic probably needed a quiet run. She hadn’t been working that well at home until the past couple of weeks. She was tying up, but we have cured that now.”
Young said that he expected Beetastic to improve steadily and to mature into a candidate for the rich classic events for mares later in the year.