New SW for Proisir

Media Release - Saturday May 22

Underrated galloper Belle Plaisir sprang a minor upset when she picked up her first victory at stakes level when taking out the Listed James Bull Rangitikei Gold Cup (1600m) on her home track at Awapuni.

Rider Kate Hercock and trainer Lucy Tanner pose with Listed James Bull Rangitikei Gold Cup (1600m) winner Belle Plaisir Photo Credit: Race Images – Grant Matthew

The Lucy Tanner-trained and part-owned four-year-old had won her previous start over a similar distance (1550m) at the venue but was ignored by punters for Saturday’s feature, being sent out at odds of better that $23.

Given an economical trip in behind the speed by rider Kate Hercock, the daughter of Rich Hill Stud stallion Proisir stalked pacemaker Quiz Kid throughout, before being angled off the fence to lodge her challenge at the 300m.

Quiz Kid refused to lie down in the run home, but Belle Plaisir carried plenty of momentum as she swept past in the final stages to win by just over a length, with Hartley battling on strongly to take third.

The win was the second at stakes level for Tanner after Flemington provided her first when he took out the 2012 Gr.3 Hawke’s Bay Cup (2200m), but this one carried a good deal of emotion for the permit-to-train license holder.

“That was just so exciting and quite emotional for me,” Tanner said.

“While I have a job outside of training, horses are my life and to win this race today is very special.

“She (Belle Plaisir) is a very very good horse, who hasn’t had a lot of luck with bad draws and the like.

“She won nicely at her last start and that gave her plenty of confidence, so I was expecting a good run from her even though most of the critics seemed to have written her off.

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“Everything fell into place and to get a stakes victory after twice being placed fourth in Group Three company says so much about her quality and the ability she has.”

Tanner owns the mare in partnership with friend and racing partner Lance Hickman after Hickman purchased her for $32,000 out of the Fairdale Stud draft during the Book 2 sale at Karaka in 2018.

“Lance and I have known each other for more than 25 years and we have struck up an excellent relationship with the Fell family, who bred this mare,” she said.

“I actually have three by Proisir in the stable at the moment and I really like them, although they do take time to mature.

“Because I don’t train for anyone else, it gives me the opportunity to be patient with them and try to get the best out of them.

“The plan all along has been to get a black type win with Belle Plaisir as she comes from a very nice family, including her half-brother Heavens Keep who won eight races for us.

“Now she has done that she can go out for a decent break before I get her back for the spring, where I think she will be even better than she is now.”

Belle Plaisir is out of the Zeditave mare Eden and hails from an extended family that includes American Grade One winner Garthorn and Gr.1 Coolmore Classic (1500m) winner Chlorophyll. – NZ Racing Desk

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Race Result - Rangitikei Gold Cup LR 1600m

Awapuni Track: Slow(8) Time: 1:38.16
1
Belle Plaisir
- 4m Proisir (AUS) x Eden (AUS) (Zeditave (AUS))
Tnr: Ms L Tanner Rdr: K R Hercock 53
2
1.3
Quiz Kid
- 4g Iffraaj (GB) x Guessing (NZ) (Keeper (AUS))
Tnr: Craig & Shaun Phelan Rdr: T L Taiaroa 53
3
2.6
Hartley
- 6g Azamour (IRE) x Madam Butterfly (NZ) (Towkay (AUS))
Tnr: C Connors Rdr: M Mudhoo 56.5
4
3.6
Mont Ventoux
- 5g Nom Du Jeu (NZ) x Good Reason (NZ) (Lord Ballina (AUS))
Tnr: R P Liefting Rdr: M K Hudson 53
5
3.8
William Wallace
- 8g Darci Brahma (NZ) x Huluava (NZ) (Pins (AUS))
Tnr: A M Bull Rdr: S J Macnab 54
6
4.8
Mauna Kea
- 7g Per Incanto (USA) x City Class Rose (NZ) (City On A Hill (USA))
Tnr: P R Moseley Rdr: T Yanagida 54.5
7
6.6
Vent
- 4m Haradasun (AUS) x Vim (NZ) (Germano (GB))
Tnr: C C Lupton Rdr: Ms K Williams 53
8
6.9
House Of Cartier
- 5m Alamosa (NZ) x Shez Sinsational (NZ) (Ekraar (USA))
Tnr: Peter Didham Rdr: S T Collett 53
9
7.2
More Wonder
- 5g Mossman (AUS) x Wonderworld (AUS) (More Than Ready (USA))
Tnr: Team Rogerson Rdr: R T Elliot 57.5
10
8.7
Aquila Star
- 4m Darci Brahma (NZ) x Star Of Flight (AUS) (Marscay (AUS))
Tnr: J Lupton Rdr: L T Hemi 53
11
9.2
Dez
- 9g Zed (NZ) x Black Falcon (NZ) (Felix The Cat (USA))
Tnr: S J Wilson Rdr: S O'Malley 57.5
12
9.3
Herengawe
- 6g Zed (NZ) x Vim (NZ) (Germano (GB))
Tnr: Ms J Moss Rdr: D G Bradley 54
13
9.7
Shadows Cast
- 8g Per Incanto (USA) x Ages Past (NZ) (Slavic (USA))
Tnr: M K Oulaghan Rdr: R H Schofer 60
14
10.7
Happy Star
- 5g Fabulous (NZ) x Carlton Queen (NZ) (Zed (NZ))
Tnr: J Benner & H Wynyard Rdr: L J Allpress 53
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