Connections of the leading New Zealand filly were on a high after her debut
Australian victory in the Gr.2 Surround Stakes at Randwick, but they were
brought down to earth with a thud by her next performance at Rosehill. The daughter of So You Think failed to beat a runner home in the Gr.1 Coolmore Classic, after which a scope revealed a small amount of mucus. She was also suffering from mild lower airway inflammation.
"They were pretty minor issues to be fair and she's good now," said Matt Brown, whose wife and training partner Mandy is in Sydney with their Gr.1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas winner.
La Bella Diosa (pictured steve Hart) will now look to turn her form around in the Gr.1 Vinery Stud Stakes at Rosehill.
"I spoke to Mandy yesterday and she was pretty happy," Brown said.
"The filly was allowed to gallop on the course proper at Randwick, but Mandy couldn't find a mate for her so she went on her own and she got a bit lost.
"Jason Collett came over to ride her and he was more than happy for us to be pressing forward."
The expatriate New Zealand jockey will be reunited with La Bella Diosa this weekend having guided her to a first-up success in the Surround. A suspension resulted in Jay Ford gaining the Coolmore ride.
Provided La Bella Diosa shows her true form, she will head toward the $A1 million Gr.1 Australian Oaks at Randwick on April 8. – NZ Racing Desk.
