Ken Casellas | Photo: PACEPIX
Champion reinsman Gary Hall jnr breathed a massive sigh of relief after driving Ideal Beach to a splendid victory over a gallant Cease To React in the $125,000 APG Sales Classic for two-year-old colts and geldings at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
He had to toss up between both youngsters after having driven Ideal Beach to victory at his only start, and having handled Cease To React for trainer Michael Young at the gelding’s three starts for two wins and a fighting second after racing three wide and then in the breeze.
Ideal Beach, prepared by star Boyanup trainer Justin Prentice, was the solitary runner on the back line in the 1730m event was the $3.20 favourite, with Cease To React a well-supported $4.40 chance.
“I pulled the right rein,” said Hall after Ideal Beach finished powerfully to overhaul Cease To React in the home straight before pulling away to win by just under a length, rating 1.57.5 after final quarters of 28.4sec. and 28.3sec.
“You have always got that bit of confidence driving one of Justin’s horses, especially babies,” said Hall. “Not only do they do the right thing, gait-wise and driving; they’ve always got something up their sleeve.
“Ideal Beach threw us a curve ball when he broke up in a qualifying trial. That was a nervous moment, but since then everything has been good. Justin sorted things out.
“His heat win was awesome when he had a pretty good run that night. But tonight, things didn’t go all that well when he had to go three wide with 850m to go, and over the final 800m you never know how much a horse has in his locker.
“On the last bend he wanted to run in a bit, but I knew there would be something there when we straightened. The breeze horse (Cease To React) is a good, tough horse, and he tried his hardest to go with Ideal Beach.”
Cease To React, driven by Stuart McDonald, settled down in the one-out, one-back position, with his stablemate Butter Me Up ($4.40) setting the pace for Emily Suvaljko. Hall quickly moved Ideal Beach into sixth position, one-out and two-back, and McDonald dashed Cease To React to the breeze with 1200m to travel.
Ideal Beach was switched three wide at the bell, and with a third quarter of 28.4sec. third quarter Cease To React took a narrow lead 450m from home as Ideal Beach was winding up and giving chase. Ideal Beach finally got to the front 100m from the post. Butter Me Up held on gamely to finish third.
The win gave Prentice his third training success in the classic, after scoring with Major Martini (2019) and Valedictorian (2022). For Hall, it was his fifth victory in this event, following wins with Blissfull Boy (2010), Black Aquila (2011), Almighty Joelouis (2016) and Valedictorian (2022).
Prentice purchased Ideal Beach for $130,000 at the 2024 APG Perth yearling sale, and the colt, unbeaten at his two starts, has earned $77,912 for his big ownership team of friends and stable clients.
Ideal Beach is by outstanding sire American Ideal and is the fourth foal out of unraced mare Coopers Beach. “I bought Mikis Beach, who is out of the same mare, said Prentice. “He had a lot of ability, and I thought Ideal Beach was a nicer type.”
Prentice said that he would now give Ideal Beach a break before getting him ready for rich feature events for two-year-olds later in the year.