Second Stakes-Winner for Japonica

Media Release - Saturday June 1

Three and a half hours before Moonlight Magic took her place in Saturday’s Gr.1 Queensland Derby (2400m) at Eagle Farm, her half-brother Belardi kicked off a huge day for the family with victory in the Listed John Turkington Forestry Castletown Stakes (1200m) at Wanganui.

Both Belardi and Moonlight Magic are trained by Andrew Forsman for owner-breeders the Sunlight Trust, and they are among the five winners from just five foals out of the Encosta De Lago mare Japonica.

Belardi (outside) pulls away to win the Listed John Turkington Forestry Castletown Stakes (1200m) at Wanganui.  Photo: Peter Rubery (Race Images Palmerston North)

Belardi became the second stakes winner in that group, with Moonlight Magic having previously captured the Gr.3 Championship Stakes (2100m) at Ellerslie in April.

Saturday’s Castletown Stakes was the third career start for Belardi, who was well supported for his debut appearance at New Plymouth on May 11 after a stylish trial win. He finished only sixth that day, but bounced back strongly to lead all the way for a maiden success at Taupo on May 22.

Advertisement

The two-year-old Belardo gelding faced a steep class rise on a sharp 10-day turnaround on Saturday, but he showed that he was up to the task.

Jockey Joe Doyle adopted similar front-running tactics, driving him forward from his inside gate to take up a leading position after the first 100m.

The previous two races on Saturday’s Wanganui card had established that the outside part of the track was clearly the place to be down the home straight, and Doyle was able to bring Belardi across the front of the field at the turn and into that better ground.

Raziah and He’s Lucid finished strongly out of the pack and tried their hardest to pull Belardi back in down the straight, but the Cambridge gelding kicked away from them again in the last 50m to win by a length and a half.

“He didn’t break particularly well, but he was quick into gear and then just travelled so smoothly from there,” said Doyle, who has now ridden 14 Group and Listed winners this season.

“He’s a Belardo, and these kinds of tracks often seem to suit them. When we got on to the better ground in the straight and I gave him a squeeze, he picked up very nicely. He might have idled a touch when he was in front in the straight, so I’d say there’s still more in the tank.

“He’s not overly big, but he’s a very willing horse. That tendency to idle won’t be there for much longer and I’m sure we’ll see more improvement from him.”

Belardi’s three-start career has now produced two wins and $57,725 in stakes.

With Forsman in Brisbane to saddle Moonlight Magic and First Innings in Saturday’s Queensland Derby, he was represented at Wanganui on Saturday by assistant trainer Trina Riddell.

“That was a really good win, and with his half-sister racing in the Queensland Derby today, it’s a big day for the Sunlight Trust,” Riddell said.

“Belardi is a really nice horse, and I thought Joe did a great job to lead and get him to that outside ground in the straight.”

Belardi became the second stakes-winning two-year-old in the space of a week for former Haunui Farm shuttle stallion Belardo, who also sired last Saturday’s Listed Champagne Stakes (1600m) winner Southern Warrior. – LOVERACING.NZ News Desk.

Advertisment

Race Result - John Turkington Forestry Ltd Castletown Stakes LR 1200m

Wanganui Track: Heavy(10) Time: 1:16.00
1
Belardi
- 2g Belardo (IRE) x Japonica (AUS) (Encosta De Lago (AUS))
Tnr: Andrew Forsman Rdr: Joe Doyle 57
2
1.5
Raziah
- 2f Niagara (AUS) x Justa Secret (NZ) (Sakhee's Secret (GB))
Tnr: A W Pike Rdr: M J Mc Nab 55
3
1.6
He's Lucid
- 2g Contributer (IRE) x Big Dreamer (NZ) (No Excuse Needed (GB))
Tnr: K T Myers Rdr: L Sutherland 57
NZB Karaka Book 2 $20,000
Seller: Mapperley Stud Ltd
Buyer: Mr Paul Mirabelli
4
1.9
Acapelago
- 2f Belardo (IRE) x Acapela (NZ) (Elusive City (USA))
Tnr: P & D Williams Rdr: W B Kennedy 55
5
4.7
First Gear
- 2g Derryn (AUS) x A'guin Ace (NZ) (O'reilly (NZ))
Tnr: K Gray Rdr: L J Allpress 57
6
4.8
Connello
- 2f Time Test (GB) x Baillieborough (NZ) (Towkay (AUS))
Tnr: Ms L Latta Rdr: C Dell 55
7
8.1
Prominere
- 2f Ardrossan (AUS) x Midnite Rendezvous (NZ) (Cecconi (AUS))
Tnr: S & K Alexander Rdr: K R Hercock 55
8
8.4
Kind Of Blue
- 2f Blue Point (IRE) x Pure (AUS) (Pierro (AUS))
Tnr: M Moroney & P Gerard Rdr: B E Grylls 55
9
8.8
Fun Never Sets
- 2f Proisir (AUS) x Its All Fun (NZ) (Pins (AUS))
Tnr: Ms K A Hoskin Rdr: K Asano 55
More Reading...
Cup Day Stakes-Winner for So You Think
The Listed VRC TAB Trophy (1800m) for three year-olds on Cup Day at Flemington drew a competitive field of up and comers with So You Think gelding Opening Address stamping himself as a bright prospect for the future with a stylish victory.
Magic Nick Strikes Again – Fastnet Rock x Galileo
The Fastnet Rock x Galileo nick has been on fire in Melbourne this spring producing Cox Plate winner Via Sistina (IRE) and leading Melbourne Cup contender Buckaroo (GB) and it struck again overnight in the UK with a brand new stakes-winner in Military Academy, who captured the Listed Floodlit Stakes (1m4f) at Kempton.
Storm Boy Headed to Ireland
Coolmore have today announced via Twitter that top class Justify (USA) colt Storm Boy will be continuing his racing career in Ireland in 2025 under the care of Aidan O’Brien.
Coolmore Set Justify Fee for 2025
Coolmore have announced the US fee for Justify in 2025 with the undefeated Triple Crown winner priced at $US250,000 to head  their roster of 16 stallions at Ashford Stud in Kentucky.
2024 Melbourne Cup Result - It's Knights Choice
The 2024 Melbourne Cup has been run and won with Knight’s Choice, a five-year-old gelding by Extreme Choice victorious.
Kiwi Bred Gringotts Wins $3million Big Dance
Talented New Zealand-bred gelding Gringotts(NZ) (Per Incanto) delivered a big payday for his connections with victory in Tuesday’s A$3 million Big Dance (1600m) at Randwick.
Melbourne Cup Pedigree Analysis - Do It Yourself
Breednet has produced a great page with click through to five generation pedigrees for all the Melbourne Cup runners, so for amateur pedigree buffs looking to have a Cup flutter based pedigree here’s your chance  to DIY it!
Kiwi Bred Grey Wins Subzero for OTI at Flemington
New Zealand-bred gelding Cloudland proved a handful for James McDonald at Flemington on Tuesday, but the champion jockey was in a forgiving mood after they had claimed top honours in the Subzero Handicap.
Tycoon Star Makes Winning Debut in G3 Maribyrnong Plate
Tycoon Star looked like the consummate professional when making a winning career debut in the Group III Darley Maribyrnong Plate (1000m) to kickstart Melbourne Cup Day at Flemington.
All Too Hard's Arran Bay Brave in the Furphy Plate
Phillip Stokes admitted his preference was to run Arran Bay in the Listed John Letts Cup at Morphettville but was overruled by the owners, who made the correct decision in favouring the Listed Furphy Plate (1800m) at Flemington.