Barnstorming Victory in Belle Of The Turf for Reliable Man's Lekvarte

Mark Smith - Thursday December 28

Racing in career-best form, the 5-year-old Reliable Man (GB) mare Lekvarte (NZ) came with a barnstorming finish for a maiden stakes success in the Group III Gosford RSL Belle Of The Turf Stakes (1600m).

Tommy Berry has time to pose for the camera (image Steve Hart)

Ridden by Tommy Berry for Joe Pride, Lekvarte came from second last to overpower Zoe's Promise (Swear) by one and a half length with      Pioneer Lass (Stratum Star) a long-head back in third.

A $210,000 purchase for BK Racing & Breeding / Andrew Williams Bloodstock from the Westbury Stud draft in Book 1 of the 2020 NZB Karaka Yearling Sale, Lekvarte advances her record to seven wins, three seconds and two thirds from 25 starts with earnings of $608,230.

Advertisement

It was the third consecutive win for Lekvarte, who started the popular pick after an impressive performance at Rosehill.

“Full credit to Joe, it highlights what a trainer he is. She was a month between runs and missed a trial,” Tommy Berry said.

“I spoke to him this morning, and he had so much confidence he said to ide her quiet and produce her late and she will be too good for them.    

“I thought I might give Benny (Vassallo) a bit of a heart attack on the corner and get his blood pumping. I’m sure he is happy now, and the Vassallo’s are great family friends.

“They have found another good one here and will reap the rewards when she goes to the breeding barn.”

A half-sister to stakes-placed Total Power (Dundeel), Lekvarte is the best of three winners from four to race for the stakes-placed Encosta De Lago mare Plumm.

A daughter of the Group 1 South Australian Oaks runner-up Madame Plume (Military Plume), Plumm was a $50,000 purchase for Lynward Park Stud from the Attunga Stud draft at the 2023 National Broodmare Sale when carrying a Bivouac colt.

Lekvarte a $210,000 Karaka yearling

Lekvarte is the 26th stakes-winner for Westbury Stud’s Reliable Man.

Figtree Thoroughbreds consign a colt by Dubious out of Plumm’s sister Madame De Lago to the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale (Lot 1248).

Advertisment

Race Result - Gosford RSL Belle Of The Turf Stakes Gr3 1600m

Gosford Track: Good(4) Time: 1:36.30
1
Lekvarte
- 5m Reliable Man (GB) x Plumm (AUS) (Encosta De Lago (AUS))
Tnr: Joseph Pride Rdr: Tommy Berry 57
2
1.4
Zoe's Promise
- 4m Swear (AUS) x Kinz Funky Monkey (USA) (The Green Monkey (USA))
Tnr: K A Lees Rdr: Dylan Gibbons 57
3
1.6
Pioneer Lass
- 5m Stratum Star (AUS) x Sebring's Choice (AUS) (Sebring (AUS))
Tnr: Matthew Smith Rdr: G Buckley 54
4
3.3
Rebel Rama
- 6m Dissident (AUS) x Mossarama (AUS) (Mossman (AUS))
Tnr: M C Conners Rdr: A B Collett 56
5
3.4
Finepoint
- 5m Pins (AUS) x Zarzuela (NZ) (Zabeel (NZ))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: Tyler Schiller 59
6
4.5
Ita
- 6m All Too Hard (AUS) x Dayita (AUS) (Show A Heart (AUS))
Tnr: Bjorn Baker Rdr: Rachel King 54
7
5.5
Burning Need
- 7m The Factor (USA) x Sukhar (NZ) (Zabeel (NZ))
Tnr: Ross McConville Rdr: Zac Lloyd 54
8
8.2
Arale
- 5m Foxwedge (AUS) x Tipsy Express (AUS) (Encosta De Lago (AUS))
Tnr: Benjamin Smith Rdr: Ms R Freeman 54
9
8.4
Bakerloo
- 3f The Mission (AUS) x French Fantasy (AUS) (French Deputy (USA))
Tnr: P M Perry Rdr: Reece Jones 54
10
17.2
Street Candi
- 5m Pride Of Dubai (AUS) x Borobodur (AUS) (Strategic (AUS))
Tnr: Ms K Buchanan Rdr: Ashley Morgan 54
More Reading...
Raging Force Bolts in at Randwick
Cosmic Force 2YO Raging Force was sent around in the Group III ATC Breeder’s Plate on debut last spring finishing sixth to King Kirk and coming out of the race with an injury, but time and a patient approach has put his career back on track.
One To Watch – Randwick
After impressing on debut, the Chris Waller trained 3yo Super Seth filly Frosty Girl (NZ) took on the older mares on the Kensington track, remaining unbeaten with another stylish victory to become Breednet’s One To Watch.
Sires With Winners - Tuesday June 24
Here is the full list of 27 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Karaka Graduate Lekvarte Wins G3 Aspiration
Quality Karaka graduate Lekvarte (NZ) (Reliable Man) produced an extraordinary finish to add a second stakes win to her CV in Saturday’s A$250,000 Group Three Mostyncopper Aspiration Quality (1600m) at Randwick.
Storm Boy Retired to Coolmore Australia
An utterly dominant winner of the $3 million Magic Millions 2YO Classic, the hugely exciting son of the international sire sensation Justify is set to join the Coolmore Australia roster in 2025.
Irish Oaks Possible for Royal Ascot Fairytale Filly
The biggest story in terms of our audience reads from Royal Ascot last week was by far and away the one on the Aussie owned underdog three year-old filly Cercene, who captured the Group I Coronation Stakes.
Capitalist 2YO Wins for Doyle
Nathan Doyle and his team would be bubbling with excitement surrounding the return of their unbeaten G1 star Private Harry, but as they say ‘little fish are sweet’ and the stable were in the winner’s circle at Wyong on Tuesday with a two year-old son of Capitalist.
Sires With Winners - Wednesday June 25
Here is the full list of 42 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Tassort Filly Too Classy at Randwick
Stakes-placed two starts back in the Listed Woodlands Stud Stakes at Scone, talented 2YO Tassort filly Wollzeile proved too classy at Randwick on Wednesday.
Nice 2YO Winner for Vinery Value Sire
He might be the least expensive sire on the Vinery roster this spring at a fee of just $6,600, but Headwater gets his share of winners and produced a new two year-old winner at Doomben on Wednesday.