The Ciaron Maher and David Eustace stable claimed four consecutive races at Moonee Valley on Saturday, culminating with stable favourite Bella Nipotina in the Listed Long Fine Hospitality Carlyon Stakes (1000m).
The run began when the 3yo Star Witness colt Fast Witness won the day's other feature, the Listed McMahon's Dairy McKenzie Stakes (1200m).
The Australian Bloodstock pair Mayfair Spirit (IRE) and Mankayan (IRE) chimed in before the well-supported Bella Nipotina completed a stellar day.
Ridden by Craig Williams, the 5yo daughter of Pride Of Dubai powered home to defeat the Headwater mare Mileva by a long head with a further three-quarter of a length back to the 4yo Extreme Choice gelding Extremely Lucky in third.
David Eustice said the daughter of Pride Of Dubai would target the Mankato Stakes, hopefully going one better than her second to Jonker twelve months ago.
“She is just incredibly tough and has danced every dance over the last twelve to eighteen months,” Eustice said.
“She is possibly getting better. Hopefully, she gets back for the Manikato (Stakes), that’s the plan.
“There is an awful lot of sprint races for her in the spring, in Sydney as well.
“She can travel, and is incredibly brave, so it’s great to start off the campaign like this.
“It’s three weeks to the McEwen (Stakes), which is ideal. She is just so versatile and so tough."
An $80,000 Inglis Premier purchase for Lindsay Park Racing / Andrew Williams Bloodstock / Mt Hallowell Stud from the Rosemont Stud draft, Bella Nipotina was bred by Michael Christian and Siobhan Miller at Longwood Thoroughbred Farm. They retain a share in her ownership.
The win came shortly after the Longwood Stud bred In Secret (I Am Invincible) was a luckless second in the Group II Silver Shadow Stakes at Randwick.
In registering her fourth stakes win, Bella Nipotina advances her record to five seven six from 30 starts with earnings of $1,834,650.
Bella Nipotina is the first foal of Bella Orfana, a half-sister by Star Witness to Group winners Hallowell Belle and Fuddle Dee Duddle from the family of Group I Caulfield Guineas winner In Top Swing.
Bella Orfana has a 2yo colt by Trapeze Artist that was sold by Longwood Thoroughbred Farm for $280,000 at Inglis Easter to O'Brien Thoroughbreds.
Not covered in 2020, Bella Orfana visited Zoustar last spring.
