Oaks Dream for Bargain Buy Staying Filly

Media Release - Thursday September 7
Blanco Belle will face an early test in black type company on Saturday and her performance at Wanganui could fuel a longer-term dream of an Australian classic.

Blanco Belle - Race ImagesShe will make her second appearance in the Listed The O'Leary's Fillies' Stakes following a dominant effort to win on debut at Hawera last month.

"She's a staying filly and this is her first preparation," part-owner and trainer Susan Rainford said.

"She was difficult to break in – she's tough and strong for her age, even though she doesn't actually turn three until October.

"There's not a lot around for staying fillies in New Zealand so we might give her a spell after this.

There's a nice race in Australia – the VRC Oaks, that's ambitious but you never know."

Rainford said she had been particularly pleased with Blanco Belle's recent work at New Plymouth.

"She galloped last Tuesday, the 29th, in a faster time than Kawi and this Tuesday her track rider said she galloped better, more settled."

The only glitch in the preparation has been confirming a jockey for the filly.

"I thought I had Chris Johnson, but his agent rang on Monday to say he was riding at Riccarton and a lot of the other jockeys were taken," Rainford said.

"Kate Cowan, who won on her at Hawera, is also riding down there so I've got Sarah MacNab."

Blanco Belle could prove a smart piece of business for Rainford and her partners as she only cost them $3000 out of Cambridge Stud's draft at New Zealand Bloodstock's National Weanling Sale at Karaka in 2015.

"She was the only Cape Blanco in the sale and I thought a lot of him," she said. "He was well-performed and by Galileo." – NZ Racing Desk.

Footnote : Blanco Belle is from the family of Group I WATC West Australian Derby winner Wonder Dancer and claims Champion NZ 3YO Star Belle as her fourth dam.

Advertisment
More Reading...
$300,000 Mare in Foal to Too Darn Hot Tops Inglis Digital
Brae Sokolski secured the top lot in tonight’s ‘full’ Inglis Digital April (Late) Sale, buying proven broodmare Molto Allegro - in foal to Too Darn Hot – from the Oakland Park reduction for $300,000.
Per Incanto Filly Bedtime Story looking for fairytale ending to season
Promising filly Bedtime Story will be looking for a fairytale ending to her three-year-old season when she heads to Te Rapa on Saturday to contest the Gr.3 Inglis Sales Cambridge Breeders’ Stakes (1200m).
First Stakes Win for Dark Princess
Progressive mare Dark Princess continued her rise up the ranks with her first victory at stakes level when successful in Saturday’s Group III Gee & Hickton Thompson Handicap (1600m) at Trentham.
Sioux Nation Filly Sioux Spirit Makes Exciting Debut
After winning her last two jumpouts, the 3-year-old Sioux Nation (USA) filly Sioux Spirit was favoured to make a winning debut in the Dean Holland Memorial Maiden Plate at Geelong on Wednesday and did not disappoint anyone.
Pedigree Watch – UK -3YO - Derby Hopeful
Spring is in the air in the UK with the Listed Betfred Blue Riband Trial (1m2f) run at Epsom overnight and there was some Aussie interest with Chief Little Rock, a Galileo colt from Australian Group I winning Fastnet Rock mare Amicus engaged, but he came up short finishing third to a promising colt by Sea the Stars.
Embellish 3YO Wins for Te Akau
Consistent three-year-old Beau Brummell commenced a successful journey south for jockey Warren Kennedy, who picked up a trio of winners at Phar Lap Raceway on Wednesday.
Shall Be Takes Aim at Inglis Challenge
The promising 2-year-old Shalaa (IRE) colt Shall Be will target the $200,000 Inglis Challenge to be run on May 17 at Scone Racecourse after breaking his maiden in the New Era Technology Maiden Plate at Newcastle on Wednesday.
Sires With Winners - Wednesday April 24
Here is the full list of 47 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Kiwi Trained Invincible Mare Imwonderfultonight Headed for Adelaide G1
Sam Mynott has been ticking up the air miles over the Tasman Sea this week and she is hoping it will all be worth it when she lines up her first horse in Australia on Saturday.
No Justify for Australia This Spring
Justify, the Champion 2YO Sire in North America and sire of outstanding Australian 2YO  colt Storm Boy, won’t be returning to stand at Coolmore Australia this spring and will remain at Coolmore’s Ashford Stud in Kentucky where he will cover a select book of mares to southern hemisphere time late in the year.