Howells’ charge looked to be a useful stayer in the making

De La Danza a threat if he stays the distance.

Beewithmee was regarded to be a promising stayer earlier this year but after two disappointing efforts he seems to have been forgotten.

When the Duncan Howells-trained son of Dynasty finished a 1.50-length third behind Alexander in the Highland Night Cup (Non-Black Type) over 2500m at Clairwood in May some people were even talking about Beewithmee being a Gold Cup prospect.

However, things went wrong in the Grade 2 Derby over the same course and distance.

He was not well weighted under the race conditions but that did not explain his shocking performance as Beewithmee trailed in 27.10 lengths behind Hot Ticket. Jockey Kevin Shea reported that he felt something felt amiss in the latter stages and he did not persevere with the gelding.

There obviously was something wrong as Howells kept his charge out of action for two-and-a-half months and brought him back on 31 August to contest a MR 86 Handicap over 1800m on the Greyville Polytrack.

There was not a penny for Beewithmee who was easy to back at 12-1 and he was clearly out for the run. The distance was definitely too short and he probably found the Polytrack too fast.

In the end he finished a 12.50-length fifth behind Patriotic Rebel, not a bad performance considering the conditions.

Beewithmee returns to the turf on Sunday to contest a Pinnacle Stakes over 2400m at Scottsville.

In the past this has been his best course and distance over which he has raced three times for two wins and a 0.75-length second behind Sparkling Wood.

This race will give a better indication of his wellbeing but it would come as something of a surprise if the five-year-old is not competitive. He is quite well weighted under the race conditions and is just 1kg behind Eton Mess and Air Patrol who are the best weighted runners.

However, if one takes into account the 2.5kg claimed by apprentice Lerato Mohapi, Beewithmee is very well in at the weights.

De La Danza has proved himself up to 2000m but failed in his only attempt over 2400m in which he finished seven lengths behind Golden Parachute. That was in January 2013 and perhaps the seven-year-old has developed a bit more staying power in his old age.

Trainer Ivan Moore has engaged Anthony Delpech and his talent could make a big difference in the closing stages.
Others to take into account are Warcraft, who has yet to try the distance but was a facile winner over 2000m on the Polytrack last time, Target Five and Eton Mess, if he can recapture his earlier form.