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Express Ride Goes To |
Tuesday, 27 August 2002: Danny Beasley will take over as the new rider of dual Group One winner Carnegie Express when he has his first start for his new trainer David Payne at Randwick on September 7. Beasley was confirmed as the rider of Carnegie Express in the $150,000 Chelmsford Stakes after he figured in a shock stable switch from Gai Waterhouse to former South African Payne on Tuesday. The transfer was preceded by a majority vote by Carnegie Express’ owners in favour of employing a new trainer. Waterhouse trained Carnegie Express to win his first six of his first eight starts last season, including the Canterbury and Rosehill Guineas double, before he was beaten narrowly by Don Eduardo in the AJC Derby. At that time there was criticism of Jim Cassidy’s ride on Carnegie Express in the Derby and he again came in for some blame for the first-up defeat of the Carnegie gelding in last Saturday’s Warwick Stakes at Warwick Farm where he raced wide before finishing fifth. However if Cassidy was the reason for changing trainers, surely Waterhouse could have negotiated with the owners for a replacement from among her many stable riders that, at times, includes Danny Beasley. The Waterhouse stable was shocked by the loss of a horse it had labelled its next weight-for-age star. However stable manager Steve Brem would not comment on the circumstances of the transfer and neither would Carnegie Express’ "It was not an easy decision for anyone involved, very difficult," Burn told AAP’s Tony White. "As a syndicate there are individuals who have their own views, some differing from others. "After discussions regarding the horse's future a democratic vote was taken. A majority voted in favour to move the horse. "We then went through the same process to decide on a new trainer." Burn is South African-born and obviously his heritage had some influence on David Payne being selected as the new trainer. Payne, a leading trainer in South Africa for more than 20 years, is now based at Randwick and only sent out his first Sydney starters last week. Harry Lawton, who syndicated Carnegie Express, said he had no part in the transfer. |