Croatian Belle will be aimed at the Magic Millions 2yo Classic after the daughter of Brazen Beau made a winning career debut before a large group of enthusiastic female owners in Friday's Ladbrokes Same Race Multi Hcp (1000m) at Moonee Valley.
An impressive debut (image Moonee Valey Race Club)
Ridden by Jamie Kah for Ben and JD Hayes, Croatian Belle broke a step slow. Kah found the perfect spot one out, one back before setting the Brazen Beau filly alight before the home turn.
Carrying the silks made famous by Dulcify, Croatian Belle quickly put the race to bed, defeating the fast-finishing Deep Field filly Beauty Rising by two and quarter lengths with Harry Angel (IRE) filly Angelique a half-head back in third.
"She did a lot wrong, did not jump clean, but a ten out of ten ride by Jamie," Ben Hayes said.
"I think the girls will have a lot of fun with her.
"We aimed to get a couple of lady's syndicates together, and hopefully, this horse will be heading to the Magic Millions trying for the big lady's bonus. "It was a big thrill to see my grandmother's (Betty Hayes) colours.
"This is the first syndicate my partner Grace Ramage has organized, so everyone has had a great experience, and this is what racing is all about."
A $130,000 purchase for Lindsay Park from the Baramul Stud draft at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, Croatian Belle is the first foal of the High Chaparral (IRE) mare Croatian.
A sister to the Group III Rough Habit Plate runner-up A Man to Match, Croatian has a filly from the first crop of Exceedance heading to the Magic Millions in January (lot 1066).
Runner-up Beauty Rising (Deep Field) has a three-quarter brother by Cosmic Force in the Sledmere Stud draft at the Gold Coast (lot 748).
Croatian was covered by Ole Kirk last spring.
Darley Stud's Brazen Beau has ten catalogued for the Magic Millions, 11 in the Inglis Classic, and 18 for the Inglis Premier.
