Beaudiene Boaz was sold immediately after this Harness Jewels triumph in 2014
Suspected snake bite in the Badlands claims Beaudiene Boaz
By Barry Lichter • 28 September 2018
Former Harness Jewels winner Beaudiene Boaz is dead, victim off a suspected snake bite.
The crack pacer, who was sold by Lincoln Farms in 2014, and went on to win 25 races and $1.25 million, had only just been retired by leading Perth trainer Gary Hall.
Sent south to a farm where he was to begin stud duties, the seven-year-old was found dead in his paddock this week.
“There’s no confirmation it was a snake bite but that’s what the vet reckoned caused it, judging by vital signs like his gums,’’ says Hall.
Hall recalls how he “paid far too much’’ for the Badlands Hanover colt after he scored a big upset in the Two-Year-Old Emerald at Cambridge.
“I could have bought him before the Jewels but I told the boys he’d get his brains kicked in by the stars and we’d get him cheaper afterwards.’’
Gary Hall … hoped to stand the horse commerciallyBut when the Lincoln Farms’ colt downed Bettor Spirits and Express Stride at odds of more than 37-to-one, Hall ended up having to dig deeper to find the new $250,000 asking price.
Within a few weeks of landing in Perth Beaudiene Boaz won the $125,000 Golden Slipper, the first of his five Group I wins.
In a trailblazing campaign Beaudiene Boaz won 19 of his first 23 starts in Perth.
A West Australian Derby win was followed by the Four-Year-Old Classic then the Gold Nugget before the $300,000 Fremantle Pacing Cup.
“He was a really good horse,’’ says Hall. “I thought he was going to be next best to Quinny (champion pacer I’m Themightyquinn) but he didn’t achieve what he could have.’’
Beaudiene Boaz ended up injuring a suspensory ligament and just when it looked like he would stand up to training when he made it back to the stable, he went in the leg again.
“He ended up being a bit of a bleeder too and in hindsight he might have been hurting because he changed from the quietest stallion you would find to being real nasty.
“His whole personality changed and I even had to twitch him to put his gear on.
“But he was a great pacer and were going to put a couple of mares to him. He was such a nice type I thought he might throw some nice horses.’’
This week’s freak death ended Hall’s hopes of standing the horse commercially.
More news in Harness
Little Missy Lincoln can stand up for herself in Young Guns fillies’ heat on Friday night
Leo poised to roar again - he looks a ratings special at Cambridge on Thursday night
Pole goes on The Night Fox - now he just needs a little luck from a niggly draw on Friday night
$10,000 weanling Johnny Lincoln surprises again with fifth win over white hot blue blood
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Nathan’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 2: Lincoln Maree
5.55pm
“Frank drove a nice race on her last time, doing a bit of work early before leading and trailing, but I think the result might have been different if she’d led all the way. She has no speed, she’s better in front and rolling, so this week we’ll tell Frank to go forward and to not hand up and hopefully she can go one better.”
Race 4: The Night Fox
6.56pm
“He got KOed last time at Auckland but Harry said he felt like he could have won with a decent draw so we’ll just put that race behind us. I wouldn’t say this field is any harder. We’ve got a bad draw again but it depends on how the race pans out. I think he can still win.”
Race 6: Lincoln Lover
7.58pm
“He’s doing a good job, and he ran home well last time at Cambridge, but Leo Lincoln is definitely the pick of ours.”
Race 6: Leo Lincoln
7.58pm
“He’ll strip a lot fitter and I think he’s a good winning chance. He’s been racing open class horses and this is a huge drop back for him.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 1: Lincoln Linda
5.06pm
“I’m not holding my breath. She beat a poor bunch at Cambridge and will have to step up here.”
Race 2: Rivergirl Bella
5.45pm
“Given the right trip, she should finish off not too bad as she has a bit of speed but, after two runs back, she needs to improve.”
Race 7: Missy Lincoln
8.09pm
“She’s only little but she trialled super and got home in 2:00.6 mile rate. If she repeats that, she’ll be in the fray. It’s early days yet but she’s a nice, tractable filly who has drawn well in two and, based on that one trial, you’d have to give her a chance. Whether she improves off it, we’ll see.”
Race 8: Spiritual Bliss
8.34pm
“I don’t think any of the others stand over her. She’s a tough mare who has trained on well. I’d love to see her in front, she’s proven that’s where she goes best, but whether she’ll get there from four is debatable. But I’m sure she’ll go another good race.”
