New Avenue 17/02/09

New Avenue, Another Brief Truce Mare.
After getting worked up at Echuca in her 1st start and finishing a fifteen and a half length 2nd last, New Avenue was trialed a week later at Wangaratta where she settled and won. Seven weeks later at Tatura yesterday, she recorded his 1st win when she beat a field of twelve.
All credit must go the trainer, Gwenda Johnstone, for being able to turn the form around. Interestingly, this is the fourth Bel Esprit she has raced, having won three races and four placings from eleven starts with Losta Grunt ($48,000).
The Dam, Taj Lani, is out of Brief Truce who a good cross to Bel Esprit. Only other starters out of Brief Truce mares are Royal Esprit, five wins ($169,450) and two year old winner three weeks ago, Genuine Stunner ($34,660).

GIRLS ON THE AVENUE
Echuca ‘s Gwenda Johnstone – trainer of 2008 Group One winner Shadoways – appears to have a promising filly on her books in the shape of Bel Esprit 3YO, New Avenue.
Having only her second start at Tatura yesterday, New Avenue proved too good over the 1000m, hitting the wire with a half a panel to spare.
Bred by Doug Blackshaw, New Avenue is out of Taj Lani a winning half sister to NZ 2000 Guineas-G1 winner Clean Sweep and hails from the immediate family of 4-time Group One winner Habibti.
Bel Esprit has now had two runners out of Brief Truce mares, ensuring that progeny are linebred to Northern Dancer through a son and a daughter. The other is Royal Esprit 3-time city winner and stakesplacegetter who races out of the Hawkes stable.