The
Hawkes Racing trained filly Bella Martini was a short priced favourite for the
Listed Gosford Guineas on Thursday after posting dominant wins at Moonee Valley
and Caulfield at her two previous starts and duly got the job done to the great
delight of punters.
The daughter of Stratum stalked the lead in third place and loomed up fast when
they turned for home, but then had to fight off a determined challenge from runner
up Island Missile.
He headed the filly momentarily, but she was not to be denied and claimed the
1200 metre sprint by a short half head.
A homebred for Robert Crabtree's Dorrington Park, Bella Martini has won four
races and placed twice from seven starts winning over $232,000 in prizemoney.
She is a half-sister to Group II winner Upbeat and stakes-winners Volcanic Ash
and Alpha Beat so is the fourth stakes-winner for exceptional producer
Silverbeat.
Silverbeat has a yearling filly by Snitzel that has been entered for Inglis
Easter by Segenhoe on behalf of Dorrington Park.
She had no foal last year but is now in foal to Fastnet Rock.
Bella Martini is the 36th stakes-winner for Widden Stud's much missed
stalwart Stratum, who died in 2016, his place at Widden taken by his multiple Group
I winning son Stratum Star.