Teodore Nugent believes there is plenty of upside to Bella Babe after guiding the daughter of Invader to a three and a quarter length win over 1100m at her career debut at Werribee on Monday.
Among the best to begin, Nugent had the Ciaron Maher and David Eustace-trained filly travelling sweetly on the outside of Flobar. Still on the bridle turning for home, Bella Babe took some time to get into her work, but once she did, she put the race to bed in a matter of strides.
The Super One gelding Super Sting was second, with three-quarter length back to the Astern colt Spanish Stroll in third.
“She is a filly that is quite natural and has a bit of early toe,” Nugent said.
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uo;She had two good trials coming here today, and the last one she jumped and led and put them away comfortably.
“She is a horse that I think could get wound up very quickly, so we took it nice and steady today.
“A bit was going on in the barriers, but she was a true professional, stayed nice and quiet and put the race away.
“She still has a lot to learn. She had her ears pricked going to the line and will take plenty from it. She had a good experience, and when the penny drops, she will definitely go on with it.”
A homebred for Greg Douglas, Bella Babe is a half-sister to Listed MVRC Mitchell McKenzie Stakes winner Ken’s dream (Dream Ahead).
She is the fourth winner from as many to race out of the Shamardal (USA) mare La Bella Rose, a $240,000 Easter yearling, who won four of nine starts in Brisbane for Alan Bailey.
Last spring, La Bella Rose missed to Anders after foaling an All Too Hard filly.
Bella Babe is the fifth first crop winner for Aquis Farm’s Invader.
The handsome Group 1 winning son of Snitzel covered 116 mares at Aquis last spring at a fee of $22,000.
