Drumbeats earned a start in another Group 1 Mile when he proved far too classy for a strong field in the G3 Bill Ritchie Hcp (1400m) at Randwick on Saturday.  Trainer Peter Snowden will seriously think about starting the stallion in this week’s Epsom.  He was fifth in the 2009 Epsom and fourth in the Doncaster earlier in the year,

Drumbeats (5h Redoute’s Choice – Delicate Choice by Last Tycoon) was originally purchased by Woodlands Stud for $350,000 at the 2007 Easter Sale but now races for Sheikh Mohammed.  He has only been lightly raced and Snowden believes his best racing is still ahead.

“The Epsom wasn’t on our agenda…we were heading towards the Toorak Handicap,” Snowden explained.  “But he’s only got 52kg and I’ve never had him as good.

“Rain is our biggest worry – on a wet track he’s only half the horse.  We need a few things to go our way but hopefully we can get a good race out of him.”

Drumbeats is a son of champion Australian sire Redoute’s Choice and he was a stakes winner at both three and four in the VRC Hilton International (LR) and STC Shannon Stakes (G2).

The Darley flag-bearer is from Delicate Choice who was runner-up in a Cessnock maiden in 10 starts for Clarry Connors.  But the Warwick Farm trainer did win a G1 VRC Oaks with second dam Arborea (Imperial Prince).

Neeson (Mossman) is a $6 favourite with TAB Sportsbet for the Epsom next Saturday.  Drumbeats and Rothesay (Fastnet Rock) are on the next line at $8.  The trio are all graduates of Inglis yearling sales.