Seven year-old Pride of Dubai mare Bella Nipotina bounced out of her Everest win two weeks ago to claim another lucrative prize when scoring a scintillating victory in the $3million ATC Russell Balding Stakes (1300m) at Rosehill on Saturday.
The Ciaron Maher trained mare has been in top form this year and with a huge purse on offer at Rosehill and a bonus for the Everest winner to stay in Sydney for this race, Bella Nipotina was a popular drawcard and duly delivered.
With a lightning fast tempo in front set by Coal Crusher and I Am Me, Bella Nipotina was allowed to cruise along in the slipstream and when Craig Williams set her alight she skipped away to win by two lengths in near track record time with Sunshine in Paris a gallant second.
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 partners at Longwood Thoroughbred Farm and they retain a share in her ownership.
A four time Group I winner, Bella Nipotina has the impressive record of 11 wins and 25 placings from 56 starts with earnings topping $22million which catapults her into second place behind only Winx on the honour roll of Australia’s highest stakes earners.
Bella Nipotina is the best of two winners from Bella Orfana, a placed sibling by Star Witness to Group winners Hallowell Belle and Fuddle Dee Duddle (dam of Group III winner Brereton) from the family of Group I Caulfield Guineas winner In Top Swing.
Longwood Thoroughbred Farm sadly lost Bella Orfana earlier this year and her last foal is a yearling filly by Trapeze Artist.
Standing at Coolmore at a fee of $22,000, Pride of Dubai has sired three Group I winners this season with Bella Nipotina standing alongside Pride of Jenni and Deny Knowledge (IRE).
