Upsets in Group Two features

PLANS remain uncertain with Lifeonthebeach despite his Bathurst victory last night.

Upstaging his more fancied rivals in the Gold Chalice, Lifeonthebeach will be given a “few easy days” while trainer John McCarthy decides on a next target.

“To be honest I haven’t looked past Bathurst with him,” McCarthy said. “I will have to sit down during the week and go over the programs to see what’s around for him.

“He’ll have a few easy days now and then I’ll get him going again for whatever comes next.”

Driven by McCarthy’s son, Todd, during his latest win, Lifeonthebeach settled two-back along the pegs from his second row draw as Mackeral led from the pole.

Angled away from the inside to be four-wide on the home turn, the son of Somebeachsomewhere grabbed the front in the last stride to score by a head from War Dan, with Code Bailey two-and-a-half metres away third.

Paying $17.80 on the tote, the three-year-old took his record to five wins and six placings from 16 starts for owner Terence Flynn.

“I didn’t realise he paid that much, but the win wasn’t really a surprise to us,” McCarthy said. “He’s been a nice horse which just needed the right run in a good race.

“Sit and sprint is his go, and from draw, I always felt he’d settle on the pegs and be in the finish if he got the luck.”

Lifeonthebeach rated 1:55.5 over 2260 metres, with his time a second slower than Art Series in the Gold Bracelet.

Also causing an upset, the Steve Turnbull-trained filly scored at the lucrative price of $44.70 with the horseman’s daughter, Amanda, in the cart.

As was the case with her gelding counterpart, Art Series settled along the pegs from her second row draw before finishing stoutly to find the lead in the shadows of the post, beat Soho Burning Love by a short half-head, with Major Chili two-and-a-half metres away third.