WHEN Peter Trevor-Jones decided to bring his 11-year-old gelding Beeston out of retirement and race him once more, his wife thought he was more than a little crazy.
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But as it turns out, the decision of the Bathurst-based trainer has been more of a masterstroke than lunacy.
His old war horse has won all three of his starts since making his return.
A Bathurst Gold Crown Group 1 winner at two, the son of Art Major just keeps delivering and after saluting at the Riverina Paceway on Sunday in the Wagga Cup, took his earnings beyond $400,000.
It was one of Trevor-Jones' goals, alongside winning 40 races, with Beeston before he retired 12 months ago.
However, the trainer was so pleased with how the big horse looked in the paddock he decided to bring him back into work.
"I think my wife thought I was verging on insane when I got him back into work but it has been an unbelievable journey," Trevor-Jones said.
"Apart from the money he's won, he's just taken us on a big journey with the Gold Crown, the Carousel, the Canola Cup and now the Wagga Cup at 11-years-old.
A well travelled Cameron Hart brought up his biggest win of his young career when Beetson charged to victory in the Wagga Pacers Cup on Sunday.
The 11-year-old showed he's still got plenty to offer after taking out the Group 3 feature in track record time.
Beetson ($41) took a three seconds off his own mark, clocking a mile rate of 1:52.9 to take out Wagga's feature race by a nose.
It was the biggest win of the former Junee reinsman's career.
"It was a bit of surprise," Hart said.
"The horse has been going good, but it was a cracking field and a bit of an awkward but he's just been a great old horse from day dot."
It's been a busy week for Hart who raced in Queensland on Tuesday, returned for eight drives at Penrith on Thursday, headed back for more success at Albion Park on Saturday, before making the trip west.
The cup win definitely made it worth the while.
Starting from the inside of the second row, Hart was able to move Beetson off the pegs and into the running line early. It helped them find the space to run down $2.40 favourite Courtsinsession by a nose.
Trevor-Jones was just as pleased with the performance as Beetson scrapped in for another win. The margin has been a half head or less on each occasion for him since his return.
The trainer, who also bred and part-owns the gelding, believes his big head certainly comes in handy.
"As a foal he just had his head like a canoe and this skinny body and we always said he will be good in a photo finish and he's proved it," he said.
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