One To Watch - Geelong

Mark Smith - Tuesday August 15

After performing above and beyond expectations when third as his career debut as a 40/1 shot at Pakenham back on March 2, the Jason Warren-trained Bel Sonic was sent off the punters choice in an 1100 metre maiden at Geelong on Tuesday and he did the right thing by supporters but it was not without a few heart palpations.

Settled back midfield in the running line by Ben Melham, everything looked to going smoothly.

Then Damien Oliver made a lightning move on the Lindsay Park debutant Etikaal and Melham found himself trapped behind runners that were going nowhere.

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He was forced to weave between runners in the straight, miraculously gaining an impeded run to overpower his rivals.


The son of Bel Esprit won quite handily in the end defeating the Helmet filly Pamela Joy by three-quarters of a length with Lonhro gelding Etikaal a half-head back in third.

Consigned by Aquis Farm to the 2016 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, Bel Sonic was purchased by Jason Warren for $80,000.

Warren knows a thing or two about the breed having trained the millionaire Bel Sprinter whose eight wins included the 2013 Group I Galaxy at Rosehill.

Bel Sonic is the fourth winner from as many foals out of the unraced Elusive Quality mare Ausmaid a half-sister to Listed winner Rebel Call (Exceed And Excel) out of the stakes-placed Encosta de Lago mare Terrenora.

 Ausmaid has a yearling filly by Magnus, which was sold for $26,000 at the Inglis Great Southern Weanling Sale, and she was covered by Ready For Victory last spring.

The sire of the peerless Black Caviar, Bel Esprit stands at Sun Stud (QLD) in 2017 at a fee of $12,100.

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