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...
First Foal of Melody Belle a Winner!
Two time NZ Horse of the Year and a 14-time G1 winner, Melody Belle was a big ticket purchase for Yulong at the 2021 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale when  they paid $2.6million for the daughter of Commands and she produced her first winner for them at Cranbourne on Friday night.
VRC Oaks contender headlines November (Early) Online Sale
An exciting opportunity is presented in the Inglis Digital November (Early) Online Sale next week when a share in a runner bound for Thursday’s $1m G1 VRC Oaks is offered.
Juvenile Trial Watch – Warwick Farm
Four heats for juveniles run at Warwick Farm on Friday and we saw winners by Trapeze Artist, Tassort, Exceed and Excel and first season sire Wild Ruler, while from a pedigree perspective a Godolphin filly that ran second was the obvious highlight.
MRC locks in leadership as Tanya Fullarton named CEO and Jonathan Munz joins as Vice Chairman
The Melbourne Racing Club (MRC) has confirmed two major leadership appointments, naming Tanya Fullarton as Chief Executive Officer and leading business person, owner, and breeder Jonathan Munz as Vice Chairman.
Sires With Winners - Thursday October 30
Here is the full list of 30 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Henry Dwyer Secures Top Lot on Day 4 Tattersalls Autumn HIT Sale
Promising Wootton Bassett two-year-old SKIATHOS topped the fourth day of the Tattersalls Autumn Horses in Training Sale at 150,000 guineas with robust trade resulting in a clearance rate of 90% for the session. Turnover for the sale exceeded 33,000,000 guineas for only the fourth time in its history with a fifth and final session still to come on Friday, followed immediately by the Tattersalls Aut
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.
Yulong Purchase into Star Kiwi Trained Filly
Yulong has purchased a 50 percent share in outstanding prospect Well Written with welcome news that she will remain in the care of Cambridge trainer Stephen Marsh for the rest of her racing career.
Go Racing Hoping for Big Day at Randwick
New Zealand syndicator Go Racing will be out to plunder the riches on offer at Randwick on Saturday, with their silks to be represented in two of the meeting’s key races.
Tabitha Ridley-Thomas Joins Magic Millions Bloodstock Team
Australia's leading thoroughbred auctioneer Magic Millions has boosted it's impressive Bloodstock Team with news Tabitha Ridley-Thomas has this week joined the company.