Baltic Spirit 26/06/09

Baltic Spirit Bolts In

Baltic Spirit became the eighth 2YO winner out of Bel Esprit's 3rd crop when he won the Four'N Twenty Super Vobis Maiden Plate over 1000m at Bairnsdale today. He was the fourth Bel to win this week with Spirited Hero, Monday, Bel Shoes, Wednesday and Drifting Spirit yesterday

He jumped from barrier four and Ivan Culliver took him to the front and when Kwaito came up on his inside, Ivan gave him his head and he moved away to win by one and a half lengths.

Although Baltic Spirit drifted in the betting from $4.00 to $6.60, the way he won showed that there are more wins in store to pay for the $60,000 he cost at the 2008 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale.

Today he was saddled up by Reed Balfour (pictured right), manager for Robbie Griffiths who has now won five races with Bel Esprit progeny, Casabel (2), Anquetil (cost Robbie and his Wife only $3,000), Beltrois and Baltic Spirit while at home he has the Thoroughbred Club filly, Belleluia.

Robbie is a Bel believer and that's good when the top trainers like his progeny.

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BALTIC SPIRIT - 2YO WINNER # 8 FOR BEL'S THIRD
Robbie Griffiths has had tremendous success with the Bel Esprit stock and the run continued at Bairnsdale on Friday (26 June) when Baltic Spirit scooted away over the 1000m trip to score a 3.5 panel victory.
Robbie’s Bel winners are Cascabel (two wins), Anquetil (which only cost him $3,000), Beltrois (who ran a great half length third at Sandown on Wednesday) and, now, Baltic Spirit, who was purchased for $60,000 at last year’s Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale.
A half brother to two winners, Baltic Spirit is out of the Anabaa mare, Curvaceous Miss, a daughter of Group One winner Our Heavenly Body. Bred by Nangawooka Park, Baltic Spirit is also closely related to NZ Horse of the Year, Uncle Remus, along with Cossack Prince and Cossack Warrior.
Baltic Spirit is the eighth 2YO winner from Bel Esprit’s third crop and places him equal eighth on the 2YO Sires’ table by winners and on top of the 2YO Sires’ chart among third season sires.
To view Baltic Spirit’s Bairnsdale victory, click here

Baltic Spirit (AUS) [2006]Robbie Griffiths

Bel Esprit (AUS) - Curvaceous Miss (AUS)

Siblings
BREMBO (AUS) [2003] - HIGH YIELD (USA)1w-3p-26s $4,500Race: 800-1600m Won: 1200-1200m Wet: 0w-0p-2s

MIDNIGHT CRISIS (AUS) [2004] - LUJAIN (USA)1w-8p-1when6s $26,800Race: 1000-1200m Won: 1000-1000m Wet: 0w-1p-2s
1st Dam
CURVACEOUS MISS, by Anabaa (USA). Winner at 1350m. This is her fourth
foal. Her third foal is a 2YO. .

2nd Dam
(OUR) HEAVENLY BODY (NZ), by Grosvenor. 3 wins 1600 to 2400m,
$118,854, South Australian Oaks, Gr 1, Avondale JC Karaka Heights H.
Dam of 11 named foals, all raced, 8 winners, inc:-
Midas King. 4 wins at 1400, 1650m, $484,829, RHKJC Pak Tin H., HKJC Shan
Kwong H., Bauhinia H., Fa Hui H., 2d HKJC Morse H.
Grand Start. 4 wins to 1650m, $284,854, HKJC Cleverly H., Heung Yip H.
3rd Dam
ASTRAL (NZ), by Ruling (USA). Placed at 3 in NZ. Half-sister to EPIDAURUS,
Tan Jay, Tusitala (dam of UNCLE REMUS). Dam of 11 foals, 9 to race, 7
winners, inc:-
(OUR) HEAVENLY BODY (f Grosvenor) 3 wins. See above.
4th Dam
STAROPHELIA, by Beau Repaire. Winner at 2 at 5f, Avondale S., 2d Avondale
JC Kindergarten P. Sister to AIREPHELIA, Philaso, Anne de Beaupre
(dam of BEAU SOVEREIGN), half-sister to ADVOCACY, TOUCH 'N GO,
Beau Supreme, Mattiwilda (dam of GALEOLA), Courtship (dam of EIN
PROSIT). Dam of 12 foals, 8 to race, 6 winners, inc:-
EPIDAURUS (c Forearmed) Winner at 1¾m, VRC St Leger, 2d VATC
Stanley P., VRC Fentona H., VATC Mitchell H., 3d VRC River H. Sire.
Tusitala. Winner at 6f in NZ. 1978 NZ Broodmare of the Year. Dam of-
UNCLE REMUS (c Bandmaster II) 1978 NZ Horse of the Year. Head
of The 1977-78 NZ 3YO Free H. 15 wins–2 at 2–1200 to 2400m,
$121,419, New Zealand Derby, New Zealand Two Thousand Guineas,
Canterbury Gold Cup, Wellington Guineas, Wellington Derby,
Wellington S., Avondale Guineas, 3d Waikato RC International S. Sire.
Petine. Unraced. Dam of 3 winners-
Mary. Unraced. Dam of 5 winners-
COSSACK WARRIOR (c Bletchingly) 7 wins–1 at 2–1200 to 2400m,
$305,130, VATC TS Carlyon Cup, Gr 2, Herbert Power H., Gr 2, 2d
VRC Blamey S., Gr 2, MVRC Alister Clark S., Gr 2, VATC St George
S., Gr 2, 3d VATC Caulfield Cup, Gr 1, VATC Memsie S., Gr 2. Sire.
COSSACK PRINCE (c Sir Tristram) 5 wins–2 at 2–1200 to 1750m,
$258,200, STC Peter Pan S., Gr 2, 2d Victoria Derby, Gr 1, VRC
Sires' Produce S., Gr 1, VATC Underwood S., Gr 1, Caulfield S.,
Gr 1, Caulfield Cup, Gr 1, 3d AJC Spring Champion S., Gr 1, VATC
Caulfield Guineas, Gr 1. Sire.

A SPIRITED VICTORY
Gr.1 stallion Bel Esprit has been enjoying a great run of late and the Griffiths stable are happy to be part of the success with Baltic Spirit an easy debut winner at Bairnsdale on Friday.

Well regarded by the stable, the promising two-year-old hunted up to take an early lead and was always travelling well. Briefly challenged at the 250m, he responded by finding another gear – racing away with his ears pricked.

Still a little green, shying out slightly at the winning post’s shadows, Baltic Spirit looked to have plenty in hand and jockey Ivan Culliver – who also works him at home – was impressed.“He was probably a fair bit better than them,” he said. “He’s a nice horse.”Stable representative Reid Balfour was also very happy.“We knew he’d run well,” he said. “He has not done much wrong at home - we thought he’d be hard to beat.”Baltic Spirit is one of several Bel Esprits in the stable and Balfour noted that they are easy to train – “they are naturals,” he said.

A $60,000 Melbourne Premier graduate bred by Nangawooka Park, Baltic Spirit is raced by Dennis Malcolm, Kent Williams, Marcus & Faye Ding, Keith Evans, Majorgloh Racing, Dario & Kirsten Licheni, Dominic Lopes, Gary Kilworth & William Shearer.

It was nearly a winning double for the stable with another debutant in the shape of Countess Plano beaten just a long neck in the 1100m maiden. Her future too looks bright.

Drifting Spirit 25/06/09

Drifting Spirit Sings a Sweeter Song.

Matty Ellerton is making a good start after changing his racing stables from Hobson's Lodge (100m under the bridge in Smithfield Rd) to "on course" at Flemington previously occupied by Lloyd Williams where he has 43 spacious, rubber lined boxes, 10 horse walker, large day yards, and several larger grassed yards.

Yesterday, he trained the winner of the last race, Double Crossing, beating Beltrois and today he won the Golden Nugget Bakery Super Vobis 3YO Maiden over 1000m with Drifting Spirit.

This Bel Esprit gelding had seven previous starts for five placings (don't I know, I had part of him then) and after his last start he had an operation to clear a problem with his throat.

Today, he dropped back after drawing barrier one, so Chris Symons could get him in a better part of the track, went between runners on the turn and slipped into the middle of the track to win by a neck.

Well done to Matty and Chris (great guys) and also to the owners Miss K M Chuong, T H Ong,

B Fan, S Wong, Mrs H Phan, D Khoo, Mrs L J Bruhn & S W Bruhn.

Click line below to watch race

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This is Bel Esprit's 190th winner on the way to 200 by the end of July.

Also Drifting Spirit Gave Bel Esprit 74 winners from 149 starters (good strike rate 50%)

Drifting Spirit (AUS) [2005]Bel Esprit (AUS) - Get Around (AUS)

Sold $60000, M Ellerton, VIC at William Inglis and Son Ltd. 2007 Premier Yearling by Swettenham Stud, Nagambie
Siblings not found

SPIRIT DRIFTS TO DESERVED VICTORY
As we all know, racehorses can be frustrating beasts at the worst of times and a trip to heaven at the best.
Matty Ellerton’s Drifting Spirit – bred by RV8 Thoroughbreds and out of the Xaar mare Get Around – had owners scratching their heads following five placings from seven starts, but after his previous start in December, underwent a throat operation.
It appears to have worked with the Bel Esprit 3YO getting up at Ballarat on Thursday (25 June) to record his maiden victory and Team Ellerton reckon it won’t be his last.
You can watch the race by clicking here
Drifting Spirit was Bel Esprit’s 190th winner (on his way to 200 by the end of July!).
Sold at the 2007 Melbourne Premier for $60,000, Drifiting Spirit is a grandson of Group One winning Bletchingly mare, Wrap Around, a half sister to multiple Group Two winner Rose of Danehill and closely related to dual Group One winner Fashions Afield.

Bel Esprit April/June 2009

A Bel Every Six Days
It has been a very exciting 12 weeks since the 1st of April for Bel Esprit. In those 84 days, 14 wins have come in the City, that works out at 1 every 6 days, very commendable.
April....High Esprit.............Sandown
.............Music in the Park..Caulfield
.............Snip Esprit.............Ascot
.............Black Caviar...........Flemington
.............Apperitions............Canterbury
May.....Black Caviar...........Caulfield
.............Tollesprit................Flemington
.............Work the Room.....Sandown
June....Apperitions.............Canterbury
.............Mooring..................Singapore, G3
.............Bel Shoes................Moonee Valley
.............Apperitions............Rosehill
.............Silver Bullion.........Moonee Valley
.............Bel Shoes................Sandown
Bondi Lad, Aranda and Mooring have also won in Singapore and Hong Kong in that time.
BEL RINGS IN TOWN EVERY SIX DAYS!
Naturally enough, we keep pretty close tabs on the comings and goings of star performer, Bel Esprit, but our efforts pale into comparison to those of Brian Donohoe.
Brian looks after the Bel Esprit Winners’ Club ‘blog’ and keeps stats on every Bel Esprit runner – has done since day one.
Of course, Brian has a vested interest having part-owned the Champion Victorian Sire throughout his illustrious racing career and now races several of his progeny.
Indeed, Brian is a very interesting bloke and you can read more about him in our Breeder Profile, by clicking here.
Anyway, Brian reveals that since the start of April, Bel Esprit has produced 14 metropolitan winners, which averages out at one every six days:

Bel Shoes 24/06/09

T'ose Shoes are Made for Racin'

Let's rewrite those words by the trainer, Steve Richards, after Bel Shoes won at the Valley a fortnight ago "she is a good honest little filly who has got stronger this time around and could string a couple together, in these type of races". Never more honest words said.

This Bel Esprit filly came to the Sandown Lakeside track yesterday in the Le Pine Funerals Cup, a race for Three-Years-Old and Upwards Fillies and Mares. No class restriction.

The three year old, Bel Shoes carried 53.5 and jumped from barrier twelve and sat behind the leaders till entering the straight where she jumped away with a length and a half break and just held on to win in a photo finish.

This is her fourth win with two seconds and two thirds from only eleven starts and Bel Shoes has now won $115,085 for her connections M Richards, S T Sheedy, K J Sheedy, S Shima, S L Tsalikidis, M Jurie, A J McIntyre, Belharr Racing Syn(Mgr: S Harrington), G K Scholes, Dr E L Lamkin.

Special congratulations to my Godson, Sam Sheedy.

Click line below to watch race

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Kevin Sheedy is now leading the owners premiership on seven wins (Diplomatic Strike, two, Bel Shoes. four and Queen Rene, one) with Michael Duffy (Diplomatic Strike, two and Beau Esprit, five).

Alastair & Patricia McFarlane (Esprit de Roses, five and Esprit de Bullet, one) and the Father and Son combination, Brian and Peter Donohoe (Diplomatic Strike, two, Spirited Halo, three and Beltrois, one) are equal third with six wins.

Today's race was the first leg of the daily double and I received a call from Kevin Sheedy to say the pressure was on us as we had Beltrois running in the second leg.

Well, from barrier fourteen, we just failed to hit the line first, going down by a head after flying home.

The official BEWC photographer didn't leave his camera at home yesterday (click photos to enlarge)

Top. Bel Shoes winning

2 Returning to scales

3 In saddling paddock

4 Beltrois on outside

5 Beltrois trainer, Robbie Griffiths, partowner, Don Healy and jockey, Michael Rodd.
6 Kevin Sheedy and the photographer, twenty eight years ago, at the Essendon Football Club

Bel Puts Her Best Shoe Forward
Steve Richards, enjoying one of his best ever seasons, wasn't sure whether he'd added to his tally when the runners flashed past the post in the Le Pine Funerals Cup (1200m) at Betfair Park today.
Thankfully for him the stable's representative Bel Shoes had snuck home in a good old fashioned thriller.
"I was just a little bit past the post and I thought she got beat," Richards confessed after the race.
"I was glad to hear (on course commentator) Greg Miles say she won it - so thanks Greg!"
Bel Shoes appeared to be cruising when she ranged up to the leaders with just over a furlong to run.
But she wanted to drift around over the concluding stages and under the urgings of Steven King she just got home first.
"It looked like she was going to win easy. She might have had to do a bit of work early to get across from the wide draw."
Richards said Bel Shoes was a galloper who had a great will to win. He was pleased she took the step up to all aged mares today.
"She's honest and she tries her heart out. She took on the older mares today too."
"These (rivals) are more seasoned and tougher too."
Steven King said the stable's plan to have the daughter of Bel Esprit firing over the winter was proving a success.
"She's in at the right time of the year," King said. "She's going to be quite a handy horse around now."
"She does a good job, I think the kids could ride her," King added.
Despite getting tired late in the race, Bel Shoes ($4.40-$5-$4.60 fav) had a short half head margin over Partiva ($17).
Belleza Veloz ($5-$5.50) was another short half head back in third place - in a great performance after she missed the start.

Belvain 22/06/09

Belvain Makes Two Wins in a Day
Twenty four hours after Ballatheball was relegated to second place after a protest at Bendigo and two hours after Spirited Hero won at Sale, Belvain saluted at Narrandra in the Rozanne Gilbert Typing Maiden over 1000m.
Perfected ridden by Robyn Freeman, this Bel Esprit won by two and a half lengths easing up.
Belvain has a double cross to Vain
The article on 16/6/09, The Vain Strain, says
Considered one of the truly great speed influences in Australian breeding, Vain was a prolific sire, winning the 1983/84 sires’ premiership and producing 46 stakeswinners including Golden Slipper winners Sir Dapper and Inspired.But it’s as a broodmare sire that Vain has a lingering legacy. His daughters have produced 97 stakeswinners, chief among them the likes of multiple Group One winner and Champion Victorian Sire, Bel Esprit. And even though Vain slipped off this mortal coil some 17 years ago, the influence is stronger than ever.Eliza Park principal, Lee Fleming, has always been a great fan of the Vain influence, a fact borne out of a decision to stand three stallions at stud this season in which Vain figures prominently - namely Bel Esprit, Magnus and Written Tycoon.
BEL ESPRIT - YOU'RE SO VAIN
Anyone who remembers the early 70s (and yes, we’re a dwindling breed) would surely recall the Carly Simon tune, You’re So Vain.
“Well, I hear you went up to Saratoga and your horse naturally won …” was one of the lines from the song and while it’s debatable Bel Esprit will ever have a runner at Saratoga, you’d want to get on if said starter had Vain in the bottom half of his/her pedigree.
This is proving to be an incredible nick with four of Bel Esprit’s six stakeswinners having Vain in the damline, while Bel Esprit himself is out of the Vain mare Bespoken.
Well, the trend continued at Narrandera yesterday (22 June) when the appropriately named Belvain scored easily over the 1000m: her third cheque from four starts.
Out of the Acecay mare Aces in Vain, Belvain was bred by Mick Stacey, who also races the filly out of the Brett Cavanough stable.
A half sister to city winners The Take and Carry on Mate, Belvain is out of a half sister to Parramatta Cup-LR winner Kenquest, while her granddam is the Group Two winning Vain mare, Better Vain.

Belvain (AUS) [2005]Brett CavanoughBel Esprit (AUS) - Aces In Vain (AUS)
Siblings
CARRY ON VAIN (AUS) [1998] - CARRY THE CROWN (CAN)10w-15p-64s $53,400Race: 800-1200m Won: 800-1100m Wet: 0w-0p-3s
CARRY ON MATE (AUS) [1999] - CARRY THE CROWN (CAN)4w-7p-20s $48,000Race: 900-1100m Won: 900-1100m Wet: 0w-0p-1s
CARRY ON ACE (AUS) [2000] - CARRY THE CROWN (CAN)7w-23p-84s $75,500Race: 960-1900m Won: 1200-1500m Wet: 0w-5p-12s
THE TAKE (AUS) [2003] - CLANG (AUS)3w-3p-11s $84,300Race: 900-1400m Won: 1000-1250m Wet: 1w-2p-3s

Spirited Hero 22/06/09

Brent's Spirited Hero

Just one month ago, Brent Gayling had two winners in six days, Belolly trained by Peter Morgan and Outspoken Spirit trained by Colin and Cindy Alderson and today Brent won another race

Spirited Hero, bred by Brent at Supreme Thoroughbred Farm at Kilmore brained them (according to the commentator) in the first race at Sale over 1210m.

Ridden by Dan Brereton, this Bel Esprit gelding sat on the fence behind the leaders till the turn and when the opening came, raced away to win by five lengths. This fella is also trained by Colin and Cindy Alderson.

This story is special because Brent formed a partnership with Neil Shaw and the first horse they bought was a broodmare, Snow Hero who they sent to Bel Esprit and now they have bred their first winner.

The owners are Supreme T'Bred Syn, Tripler Group Syn, C Bisazza, P Simari, T Larosa, Micallef Racing Syn, W Vandenham, C Vrantsis, SSS Racing Syn & G Butera and Spirited Hero's next start could by at Moonee Valley who will host the next event in the Inglis Race Series, with a $100,000 Bonus up for grabs in the two-year-old event on July 11

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Spirited Hero (AUS) [2006]Colin & Cindy Alderson Bel Esprit (AUS) - Snow Hero (AUS)

Siblings
NORTHERN ROYAL (AUS) [2004] - VAL ROYAL (FR)0w-1p-4s $3,100Race: 1100-1600m Won: 0-0m Wet: 0w-0p-1s

MISS SNOWHAWK (AUS) [2005] - BLACK HAWK (GB)0w-0p-2s $500Race: 1200-1200m Won: 0-0m Wet: 0w-0p-0s

THE PUNTERS HERO
What a performance! Although Spirited Hero was making his debut at Sale yesterday (22 June) and had no public trial form to speak of, bookies had kept a watchful eye.
No wonder they’ve got so much money.
When the Bel Esprit 2YO made his way to the starting gates, he was a firm second favourite at $3, but ended up racing like an odds on pop.
Despite jumping second last, Danny Brereton didn’t spend a penny and had the first starter tucking the rail and racing with the leaders turning for home.
From there the race was never in doubt and Spirited Hero zoomed away to score by five lengths. Click here for a full replay.
Bred by Eliza Park’s stallion manager, Brent Grayling, and Neil Shaw, Spirited Hero is out of the multiple stakesplaced True Hero mare, Snow Hero (7 wins).
This is also the family of Oakleigh Plate-G1 winner Coal Pak and Group Two winner Beau Heed.
Sold through the Eliza Park draft at last year’s Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale, Spirited Hero was knocked down to the very astute Colin Alderson, who paid $95,000 for the privilege.
Spirited Hero is clearly above average and is now likely to target the $100,000 Inglis race at Seymour on 23 August.
Chances are you won’t be getting $3 for him next time he starts!

Another Brilliant 2YO for Bel Esprit

Tara Madgwick - Tuesday, 23 June 2009
Eliza Park based Bel Esprit has enjoyed a good season with some very smart juveniles including unbeaten filly Black Caviar and added another impressive debut winner to the tally when Spirited Hero romped in at Sale on Monday to score by five lengths.

A $95,000 purchase from the Eliza Park draft at the 2008 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale for his trainers Colin and Cindy Alderson, Spirited Hero is the third foal of the former very smart racemare Snow Hero.A winner of seven races and nearly $200,000 in prizemoney, Snow Hero was Group Two placed in the STC Queen of the Turf Stakes, the race now upgraded to Group One status.

Spirited Hero will stay in work to take advantage of the next event in the lucrative Inglis race series, with a $100,000 bonus attached to the juvenile event to be run at Moonee Valley on July 11.

Spirited Hero is one of 74 winners this season for Bel Esprit , who has progeny earnings in excess of $2.5 million and posted his first Group One winner when Bel Mer took out the SAJC Robert Sangster Stakes.

With a reduced fee this spring of $16,500, Bel Esprit ranks as one of the best value sires anywhere in Australia when you consider he will have the benefit of a massive EI spike that is likely to keep him riding high in the sires tables for many years to come.

Silver Bullion 20/06/09

Baster Brings Home Bullion
Silver Bullion capitalised on a perfect run in transit to win the $70,000 Gillies Famous Pies Handicap (1000m) at Moonee Valley this afternoon.
Settling in third, the three-year-old son of Bel Esprit peeled to the outside of Tully Dreamer and Woppitt before dashing clear at the top of the straight.
In the run to the line, Silver Bullion ($7-$7.50) defeated Tully Dreamer ($15-$16) by ¾ lengths with Starfish ($8-$8.50) a further 1 ¼ length away in third.
Trainer Leon Corstens revealed Silver Bullion has been battling a blood problem before today's race.
"We've had a bit of problems with him lately, just took a while to come right," Corstens said.
"He had a blood problem and we waited and waited and now he's come good."
Winning two races in Tasmania from five starts, Silver Bullion joined the stables of Corstens earlier this year and has since run no worse than third in three Australian starts.
"I've trained for the owner for quite some time so when a horse comes over from Tasmania they automatically come to me."
Corstens also suggested that he wasn't confident of victory with Moonee Valley rated a Heavy (8).
"I was speaking to Steve (Baster) before and he was just saying how he didn't think he handles at Sandown last time and I was a little apprehensive about today when he said that," he added.
After the race, jockey Stephen Baster said he was cautious of pressing forward into the lead considering the horse was wearing headgear for the first time.
"He travelled nice and when I wanted to get off the fence I had the room to do so and was always in control," Baster said.
"He's still learning my bloke, his legs are going everywhere and doesn't know how to flatten out properly, so there is improvement in him."
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Bullion Worth his Weight in Gold after Valley Win
Brad Waters
Saturday, 20 June 2009
Former Tasmanian galloper Silver Bullion continued his rapid improvement since coming to Victoria, overcoming a poor start to score a solid win at Moonee Valley on Saturday.
Silver Bullion was having his third start for trainer Leon Corstens and had the blinkers back on but dwelt at the start, his jockey Stephen Baster allowing the son of Bel Esprit to drive up under his own steam to take a midfield position.
Glen Boss on Tully Dreamer skipped away to lead by two lengths on the home turn with Silver Bullion improving to be within striking distance.
Silver Bullion stretched out well in the straight to run down Tully Dreamer to win by three-quarters of a length with 1-1/4 lengths back to Starfish from the David Hayes camp.
“We had a bit of a blood problem lately but we waited and waited and he looks like he’s come good,” Corstens said.
“On today’s run he would be no problem at 1200 metres and he did look like he wasn’t too comfortable on wet ground but no we’re not so sure.”
The $3.80 favourite Woppitt duelled with Tully Dreamer for the lead throughout the early and middle stages before weakening in the straight to miss a place.
Placings and margins: Silver Bullion (S Baster) 53kg ($7.50) defeated Tully Dreamer (G Boss) 54.5kg ($16) by 3/4 lengths with another 1-1/4 lengths back to Starfish (L Nolen) 53kg ($8.50) in third place.
Winner’s breeding – Silver Bullion is a three-year-old gelding by Bel Esprit out of Silver Barbie (Desert King (IRE)).
The times – The three-year-olds covered with 1000 metres 1.00.37 with the last 35.96 seconds.
What they said – “Even though we missed the jump, I was always reasonably confident. He travelled really well” said Stephen Baster, winning rider of Silver Bullion.

BEL'S APPLE ISLANDER WINS SILVER
Silver Bullion is the not the first Tasmanian to successfully ‘raid’ the mainland but he was certainly one of the most impressive with his strong win at Moonee Valley on Saturday (20 June).
The Bel Esprit 3YO powered home over the 1000m circuit and recorded his third win (and third placing) from eight starts.
Originally racing out of the Vicki Rhind stable in Tassie, Silver Bullion was bred by long term Eliza Park clients, Dr Vu Van Tu and Amanda Lockett, who decided to race the horse after he was passed in at the 2007 Gold Coast Magic Millions.
Bringing a yearling home from the sales can be fairly soul destroying, but it’s much easier to take your foot off the Prozac pedal when the $40,000 pass in wins close to $100,000 in prizemoney … with the real likelihood that there’s plenty more where that came from.
Tasmanian based Vu and Amanda are no strangers to success, having bred and raced the terrific sprinter Sedation who won 10 including the 1998 Sandown Guineas-G2 and four other black type events.
First racing in October last year, Silver Bullion produced a win at Hobart on debut followed by another second and a win at Devonport before it was decided the horse would transfer to Leon Corstens stable at Romsey (near Melbourne).
“He starts quick and finishes quick, so we thought he deserved a chance in Melbourne,” Amanda points out.
Finishing third at Flemington on Anzac Day, Silver Bullion then ran second at Sandown in mid May prior to Saturday’s victory at the Valley.
From the Desert King mare, Silver Barbie (also a winner at the Valley), Silver Bullion is closely related to Caulfield Guineas-G1 winner Vitalic.


Silver Bullion (AUS) [2005]Leon CorstensBel Esprit (AUS) - Silver Barbie (AUS)
Psd $40,000 Res $45,000, at Magic Millions Gold Coast Conrad Jupiters 2007 Magic Millions Yearling Sale Session 5 by Eliza Park, Kerrie Vic
Siblings not found

Stallion Strike Rate 16/06/09

Bel Esprit Top Strike Rate
The tables of Stallions are sometime confusing.
Looking at WINNERS, Bloodhound seem to be accurate, RacingandSports could be missing out on South African results, Breednet tables differ from Bloodhound results and the Virtual Formguide only give Australian results
If I wanted to know how many WINS the progeny of the top six third crop Sires, I would use Bloodhound which I pay for or the Virtual Formguide which is free.
So today I wanted to know how many WINS the top six third crop Sires had since they started producing results in Australia considering that's where the progeny are visable to our eyes.
The Virtual Formguide is transparent for everybody to view these results.

Sire.......................Starts.........Wins........%........Fee
Bel Esprit..............1056..........164..........15.5....$16500
Hussonet...............1168...........170.........14.6....$71500
Choisir...................1530..........206.........13.5....$35750
Dash for Cash........1230..........163..........13.3....$14850
Rock of Gibralter..1079...........142.........13.2....$55000
Street Cry..............742.............98..........13.2...$110000
I hear that Bel Esprit is getting more mares from NSW this year

Van Der Star 16/06/09

Vain 16/06/09

THE VAIN STRAIN
Eliza Park’s Mark Lindsay is phoning everyone he knows with a broodmare boasting a strain of Vain in her pedigree.
Considered one of the truly great speed influences in Australian breeding, Vain was a prolific sire, winning the 1983/84 sires’ premiership and producing 46 stakeswinners including Golden Slipper winners Sir Dapper and Inspired.
But it’s as a broodmare sire that Vain has a lingering legacy. His daughters have produced 97 stakeswinners, chief among them the likes of multiple Group One winner and Champion Victorian Sire, Bel Esprit. And even though Vain slipped off this mortal coil some 17 years ago, the influence is stronger than ever.
Eliza Park principal, Lee Fleming, has always been a great fan of the Vain influence, a fact borne out of a decision to stand three stallions at stud this season in which Vain figures prominently - namely Bel Esprit, Magnus and Written Tycoon.
Magnus, whose first foals are due in August and Written Tycoon, whose initial crop has wowed all viewers, are yet to have runners, but the Bel Esprits - with Vain top and bottom - are firing on all cylinders.
Indeed, three of Bel Esprit’s five stakeswinners relate to Vain : Group One winner Bel Mer, the unbeaten Black Caviar and Belcentra.
Bel Mer’s granddam, Marine Park, is a daughter of Vain stallion Sir Dapper, while Black Caviar and Belcentra are linebred to Vain via his daughters, Song of Norway (dam of Scandinavia) and Rainbeam (dam of Centaine).
Truth be known, Bel Esprit just about ‘nicks’ with everything - he’s that kind of sire - but any mare with Vain in their first few generations appears to be a triple AAA plus mating.

Winners 16/06/09

BEL ESPRIT - A WINNER A DAY KEEPS ...
They reckon an apple a day keeps the doctor away, but a winner a day will also help you keep your bank manager at arm’s length.
Since last Friday (12 June), Bel Esprit has produced a winner at Albury in Targa Lady; a winner at Rosehill on Saturday in the shape of Apparitions (along with a couple of runnerup prizes at Morphettville for Bon Marche and Court Bell); a winner at Wellington on Sunday with Spirits in the Sky and; yesterday, a victory to the Barb Joseph trained Vigneron at Queanbeyan.
Related to Blue Diamond-G1 winner Lady Jakeo and out of the Chief’s Crown mare, Splash of Love, Targa Lady is trained by tip top country mentor, John Ledger on behalf of owner breeder Ken Eagle.
Only lightly raced but showing plenty of promise, this was a breakthrough win for Targa Lady who scored comfortably over the 1175m at Albury.
As for Apparitions, she is clearly above average, winning her third race in town for Clarry Conners, her second on the trot, and first at Rosehill.
Conners told Racenet that he’ll take the 3YO to Caloundra in a quest for some black type in the Sunshine Coast Guineas over 1600m.
“She deserves a chance at getting some black type,” Conners said. “She’s racing so well, handles all surfaces and her ‘get back and get home’ style of racing will be suited in Queensland where they love to get along.
“She should be undefeated. She had hard luck tales to tell at both of her Kembla defeats.
“Apparitions is an improving filly and a Queensland spell after the Sunshine Coast Guineas will do her the world of good. She is going to furnish into a lovely race mare.”
Not only is Spirits in the Sky a promising 3YO, he also gets an award for a terrific name – so full marks to trainer Steve Beattie who also owns the Bel Esprit speedster with his wife, Simone.
Spirits in the Sky is out of Cosmic Dust and most of the rellies have ‘celestial’ monikers.
As to his breeding and background, the following was posted on the Bel Esprit Winners Club website, which is updated religiously by Bel Esprit part-owner and Spirits in the Sky breeder Brian Donohoe. Click here – it’s always a good read.
Brian also reports that the victory of Vigneron (French for Winemaker) at Queanbeyan was an impressive ‘turn around’ for the Bombala bay.
“Vigneron looked a bit tired at the end of his last start at Canberra on 29 May, but Barb certainly freshened him up for today. No Bel Esprit has won more than five races yet, in the short time they have been racing … so maybe on today’s form this fella might.”
Bred by KP Thoroughbreds and out of the Woodman mare, Lenswood, Vigneron has now won four and is closely related to Caulfield Stakes-G1 winner Northern Drake.

Vigneron 15/06/09

Vigneron Wins his Fourth Race

Last week, Bel Esprit had two winners, Mooring (Group2) in Singapore and Bel Shoes at Moonee Valley on the holiday Monday.

This week, he have had Targa Lady win on Friday at Albury, Apparitions win her second City race of the month at Rosehill on Saturday, Spirits in the Sky at Wellington on Sunday and today Vigneron won at Queanbeyan

That's 185 on the way to 200 before the end of July

Barb Joseph has now won four races with seven seconds and three thirds from twenty four starts with prizemoney of $54,200 for the owners F Welk, P Maher, M Chiverton, W Vlahos, Robins Solah Leggett Synd, K Arnold, T Rizos, Tenace & Damaschino Synd.

Vigneron looked a bit tired at the end of his last start at Canberra on the 29th of May, but Barb certainly freshened him up for today. No Bel Esprit has won more than five races yet, in the short time thay have been racing, so maybe on today's form this fella might.

Vigneron (AUS) [2004]Barbara Joseph

Bel Esprit (AUS) - Lenswood (AUS)

Sold $95,000, Dynamic Syndications, NSW at Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale 2006 by Kulani Park, Murrurundi

Sibling
HER EXCELLENCY (AUS) [2005] - Exceed And Excel (AUS)2w-3p-11s $20,200Race: 1000-1600m Won: 1000-1500m Wet: 1w-0p-2sG1 0w-0p-1s, G2 0w-0p-1s, LR 0w-0p-1s

Sunday, 14 June 2009:

Trainer Barbara Joseph is lookijng forward to extending bher country training premiership lead at Queanbeyan on Monday.
Joseph has seven horses engaged at the meeting and has the weight of numbers on her side in the main event over 1600 metres.Joseph will saddle up three of the eight runners in the Rating 67 event - Louisianna Flyer (Taylor Lovelock-Wiggins), Sobeit (Richard Bensley) and Vigneron (Brendan Ward).“Vigneron is probably the pick of mine but I'm worried about Granite Bluff,” According to Joseph, Vigneron has raced without luck recently.“He's been racing consistently and probably should have won another race or two this preparation,” she said. “The mile will suit him.

Van Der Star 15/06/09

Bel Esprit's Biggest Spruker is Kevin Sheedy
He is over in China this week working for the Australian Football League, talking football and looking at grounds to play the game on.

I daresay Bel Esprit will get a mention, and he had a horse, Van Der Star racing at Moe today.
He is a fan of this site and if he clicks the line below maybe he can watch the horse run.
http://horseracing.bigpond.com/asx/windowsmedia.aspx?TagID=AR30212867271432805072714328050

You have another runner on Wednesday

Runners for Bel Esprit 17/06/2009
THE PHOENICIAN
ex: Georgia
BALLARAT Race 4 at 13:50
PETER GELAGOTIS
D OLIVER
If anybody wants to see their horse run, reply on the right hand side, and if I have it , I will put it on the site for you. Only TVN races.
Stories about your experience with the progany are welcome, I will publish them

Spirits in the Sky 14/06/09

Spirits in the Sky Triumphs

This is the story I always wanted to write, about a real winner.

On all horses birthday, the 1st of August 2005 , we received a call to say that Cosmic Dust had given birth to a colt and after waiting for the children to get home from school, we drove up to David Moody's Yungaburra “Place of the happy Spirit” Farm where the Bel Esprit colt was born three hours before.

In one car were owners David Moody and Daughter, Jessica with Kerry Good and in the other were other owners Julie and Peter Donohoe with their children Tom, Hayley and Brodie together with yours truely.

What a great feeling to see a little fella who wasn't steady on his legs and kept trying to hide behind his Mother as he didn't know who the hell we all were, adventurely come into the open as the children tried to give him some hay to eat.

We were there when he was broken in and constantly went to see him grow.

Then in January last year, we received a call that he had broken a bone in the back of his

front leg while he was being pre-trained. The best cure was long spell in his box so the bone would graft and he didn't see the paddock for months till he came out with his big bung knee. Click photos to enlarge, get a geek of the knee

Nine months later he came back into training with Matthew Ellerton and raced in December last year, he didn't know much about it.

Sent to be trained by Peter Maher at Wodonga, Spirits in the Sky returned to racing at Benalla in April this year where he ran 3rd first up, followed that up with a run at Wodonga and a second at Wagga.

Now the story changes, we decided to sell him and he was sold at the Inglis Bloodstock sales for $8,500 to Steve and Simone Beattie from Condobolin in N.S.W. and today we are very happy to say, he won the Wellington Lions Club Maiden Handicap at Wellington over 1100m.

Spirits didn't jump that great but the jockey Kody Nestor pushed him up to third and second on the turn. After a battle early in the straight from the leader Let'sdanceinfrance, this Bel Esprit fella ran strongly to win by a length and a half and showed that there are more wins in store and maybe over longer distances.

Congratulations to the new owners, trainer Steve and Simone who rides him in all his trackwork and Steve says she must take all the credit for his win today

Apparitions 13/06/09

Apparitions Books Herself a Queensland Trip
Clinton Payne

Saturday, 13 June 2009
Warwick Farm trainer Clarry Conners will venture north with his improving filly Apparitions after a decisive victory in the White Wires Handicap (1500m) at Rosehill on Saturday.
Conners said he’ll take the three-year-old to Caloundra in a fortnight on a quest for some black type in the Sunshine Coast Guineas over 1600m.
“She deserves a chance at getting some black type,” Conners said.
“She’s racing so well, handles all surfaces and her get back and get home style of racing will be suited in Queensland where they love to get along.”
GUINEAS BOUND: Apparitions storms clear to record a strong win at Rosehill on Saturday. Photo: Steve Hart.

Prior to the race, the favourite Fusakeo underwent a vet inspection after travelling poorly to the track to but stewards passed the gelding fit to run.
While Apparitions win was commanding, the story of the race was the surprising fast tempo.
Everyone was expecting Fusakeo to get an uncontested lead but the Peter Snowden-trained Pinatas put it to the favourite and they ensured a solid clip.
That suited Apparitions who was given plenty of time to get into a rhythm early at the tail of the field before jockey Hugh Bowman made his move nearing the turn and Apparitions quickly rounded up the leaders before careering away for an easy win.
The victory was the third from five starts for the filly this preparation and Conners belives his three-year-old should have recorded more wins.
“She should be undefeated,” he said.
“She had hard luck tales to tell at both of her Kembla defeats.
“She’s an improving filly and a Queensland spell after the Sunshine Coast Guineas will do her the world of good.
"She is going to furnish into a lovely race mare."
The second of the Snowden team, Stifle also got home strongly in the straight to grab second from Fusakeo who fought on ok in the run to the line to round out the placings.
The placings and margins: Apparitions 54kg ($6) (H.Bowman) defeated Stifle 54.5kg ($15) (C.Brown) by 1-1/4 lengths with Fusakeo 58kg ($2) (N.Rawiller) a half length away in third place.
The time and sectionals: The overall time was 1.31.31secs and the final 600-metre sectional was run in 36.20secs.
Winner’s breeding: Apparitions is a three-year-old filly by Bel Esprit out of Stormy Petrel (Flying Spur).
What they said: “The early speed aided me and I was pretty confident coming to the half mile. She picked them up quickly and is going super,” winning jockey Hugh Bowman said.
On-course betting: The winner Apparitions firmed right through betting from $7.50 to $6 and was the best-backed runner. Fusakeo was a drifter for much of the betting after opening up silly odds of $1.65 and he got out to $2. Pinatas had late support from $4.20 to $4. The on-course market closed at 108 percent.

Belleluia 13/06/09

Look further than the eye
words by DANNY POWER

BELLELUIA: KEEPING A CLOSE EYE ON THINGS BEFORE HER TRIAL AT CRANBOURNE ON MONDAY.
photography by SEAN GARNSWORTHY
The Thoroughbred Magazine Club's filly, Belleluia, who trialled impressively at Cranbourne on Monday, has a distinct white-eye - or glass-eye - that is clearly shown in the associated picture.
There is an "old wives' tale" that suggests that horses with white in their eye have a wild, unruly and untrustworthy nature, and to this day many trainers steer clear of buying them at the sales.
The fact is there is no evidence that a white-, glass- or wall-eye has anything to do with temperament - many very good horses carry the syndrome.

Bel Esprit Stallion 13/06.09

Santic stud secures group 1-winning son of Street Cry from US
Andrew Garvey
June 12, 2009
AFTER successfully launching into the stallion market last year with Purrealist, Makybe has announced it will stand a new stallion at its Gnarwarre base this coming season.
While Purrealist was a yearling purchase by Tony Santic and partners in Australia, the new horse, Street Hero, is a group 1 winner in the US. A son of highly regarded Darley stallion Street Cry, who has had great success in both hemipsheres, Street Hero was retired after his two-year-old season due to injury.
In just six starts, he won the group 1 Norfolk Stakes, beating champion US two-year-old Midshipman, was placed in the Breeders Cup Juvenile and Del Mar Futurity, and was never unplaced.
His dam, Squall Linda, who was a group 3 placegetter, is from the family of November Rain that has enjoyed so much success in Australia.
■One stallion who does not need any deals is Victoria's leading active sire, Bel Esprit. The Eliza Park-based son of Royal Academy has had another successful season with the likes of group 1 winner Bel Mer, unbeaten two-year-old Black Caviar and boom galloper Work The Room keeping his name prominent in recent months.
Last weekend in Singapore, Bel Mer's brother Moorings added to the list by winning a group 3 race for trainer Michael Freedman.

Targa Lady 12/06/09

Targa Lady Hits Her Target
PLONK It all happened in the 1st race at Albury today.

Opening at ten to one, backed to fours with the bookies and paying $3.30 on the Tote, Targa Lady jumped from the outside barrier (where they don't win from), settled in the back half of the field, three wide and five wide on the turn, entered the straight looked to have no hope of catching the leader, Belvain, another Bel Esprit filly, however when the jockey, Richard Bensley, straightened her up, she flew in the last 100m to win easily.

It remined me of the day last April, another John Ledger trained Bel Esprit filly, Mythical Spirit, jumped to a five length lead and never looked like losing with the connections or somebody backing the filly off the bookies board. I know because we thought our Bel Esprit colt, Drifting Spirit, was a good thing only to finish second.

Well done to the owner, Mr K Eagle. who finally saw the horse live up to her trial form in Febuary this year.

If you had read yesterday's story about wet tracks, maybe you might have got a bit of the action, the track today was a heavy9

Nearly had a winning double when Royal Express just got beaten by a neck in the second race at Albury today
BEL CLANGS FOR DELAGO
Big few days at Eliza Park with Bel Esprit, Clangalang and Delago Brom all coming to the fore.
Delago Brom, in particular, has had a memorable week with Golago winning at Gosford on Tuesday, Brom Brom in Hong Kong on Wednesday, Seal Lago at Launceston on Thursday and Tiger World at Hamilton yesterday.
To top it all off, Danaupair Starlet was a good thing beaten at Sandown on Wednesday.
Bel Esprit continues his outstanding form too with Bel Shoes’ victory at Moonee Valley on Monday matched by a terrific run from Targa Lady at Albury yesterday.
And, not to be left out, Bavarian Belle recorded his third win for Clangalang with a slashing victory at Launceston.
More to come.

182 winners on the way to 200 by the end of July
8. Belvain (AUS) [2005]Brett CavanoughBel Esprit (AUS) - Aces In Vain (AUS)
Siblings
CARRY ON VAIN (AUS) [1998] - CARRY THE CROWN (CAN)10w-15p-64s $53,400Race: 800-1200m Won: 800-1100m Wet: 0w-0p-3s
CARRY ON MATE (AUS) [1999] - CARRY THE CROWN (CAN)4w-7p-20s $48,000Race: 900-1100m Won: 900-1100m Wet: 0w-0p-1s
CARRY ON ACE (AUS) [2000] - CARRY THE CROWN (CAN)7w-23p-83s $75,500Race: 960-1900m Won: 1200-1500m Wet: 0w-5p-12s
THE TAKE (AUS) [2003] - CLANG (AUS)3w-3p-11s $84,300Race: 900-1400m Won: 1000-1250m Wet: 1w-2p-3s

Bel Esprit Track Rating 11/06/09

Track Rating
It's a wet week,so let's see how the Bels go
Track.....Wins..Win%..Winners..Runs..Runners
Fast.........1........17%.....1...............6........5
Good......102.....17%....62............614...150
Dead...... 46.......15%...41............304...122
Slow........11.......14%...10.............81......60
Heavy.....8.........11%....6..............72......51
WetS&H.19........12%....16..........153......88
The last two Australian winners were Bel Shoes, slow track, and Apparitions, heavy track and both were City winners

Broodmare Daughters 10/06/09

Bel Esprit Broodmare Daughters
Reading the story about Belcentra, in foal to Exceed and Excell, for $500,000, prompt thoughts about other Daughters in foal.
There is one grey filly born on the 14 September 2008,the broodmare being Witty Carlotta who was served by Dash for Cash. Other Daughters in foal this year are:

15/09/2008 Belcentra/Exceed And Excel (AUS)
3/12/2008 Bells All Round/Zupaone (AUS)
7/10/2008 Mccune/Magnus (AUS)
14/10/2008 Sister Senora/Masterpiece (ARG)
1/11/2008 Witty Carlotta/Churchill Downs (AUS) missed

Bel Shoes 8/06/09

Bel Shoes Shows Clean Pair of Heels

Bel Shoes motored away from the rest of the field to win the John F Feehan Handicap over 1200m at Moonee Valley this afternoon and pick up prizemoney of $31,363.00 for her Owners M Richards, S T Sheedy, K J Sheedy, S Shima, S L Tsalikidis, M Jurie, A J McIntyre, Belharr Racing Syn(Mgr: S Harrington), G K Scholes, Dr E L Lamkin.

This Bel Esprit filly, trained by Steve Richards (pictured right) and ridden by Steven King, sat behind the leaders and looked to be boxed in till she forced an opening in the straight and she won by two and a half lengths with a bit in reserve.

Steve said after the race "she is a good honest little filly who has got stronger this time around and could string a couple together in these type of races.

This is Bel Shoes's third win and she has now won $74,722, not bad for a horse that cost Steve Richards $20,000 at the William Inglis and Son Ltd. 2007 Autumn Yearling Sales

This is the first foal by Costa Grande (AUS) who is by Encosta De Lago, she was served again by Bel Esprit last October.

Click line below to watch the race.
http://horseracing.bigpond.com/asx/windowsmedia.aspx?TagID=AR773826184515553386

181 winners on the way to 200 by the end of July.

BEL SHOES SHOWS CLEAN HEELS AT VALLEY
Boots are made for walkin’, but Bel Esprit’s ‘Shoes’ was definitely made for sprintin’ … as she showed with some alacrity at Moonee Valley yesterday.
The Steve Richards’ trained 3YO, Bel Shoes, raced away with the John F Feehan Handicap (1200m) to score her third victory – and first in town … much to the delight of owners which include footy legend, Kevin Sheedy.
According to Bel Esprit’s Owners’ Club chronicler, Brian Donohoe, Bel Shoes motored away after sitting just off the pace.
“She appeared to be boxed in before forcing an opening in the straight and winning by two and a half lengths with a bit in reserve.”
Trainer Steve said after the race “she is a good, honest little filly who has got stronger this time around and could string a couple together in these type of races.”
Bel Shoes has now won $74,722, which is not a bad return on the $20,000 Steve paid for her out of the Eliza Park draft at the 2007 Inglis Melbourne Autumn Yearling Sale.
Bred by Bronwyn Hawking and Wayne Ross, Bel Shoes is the first foal of Encosta de Lago mare, Costa Grande, who won five over short courses and hails from a prolific family.

Mooring 6/06/09

STAKESWINNER NO. 6 FOR BEL ESPRIT
Bel Esprit is clearly the best value sire in Australia with the Champion Victorian Sire notching up his sixth stakeswinner tonight (Saturday) with the victory of Mooring in the S$250,000 3YO Challenge-G3 at Singapore’s Kranji racecourse.
With only three crops of racing age, Bel Esprit is having a stellar season and in the past three months we’ve seen Bel Mer (Mooring’s full sister) take out the Robert Sangster Stakes-G1, unbeaten 2YO Black Caviar win the Blue Sapphire Stakes-LR, another undefeated performer in Work The Room wow all with an ‘impossible’ last to first win at Sandown, Tollesprit zoom right into Caulfield Guineas calculations with his Flemington win last month and Apparitions take out his second city win on Wednesday. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg.
Mooring also puts a huge dent in the perception that Bel Esprit only gets fillies. Mooring, Work The Room and Tollesprit are all males for starters and, actually, Bel Esprit has more male winners (47) than females (46).
Bel Esprit will stand the 2009 season at a fee of just $16,500 inc. GST and for further information please phone David Somers on 0428 440 330 or Mark Lindsay on 0416 334 338.


MAGIC MILLIONS - BEL MER'S BROTHER STARS IN SINGAPORE
Mooring confirmed his status as one of the top three-year-olds of Singapore when he easily beat a classy field in the S$250,000 Three-Year-Old Challenge 1st Leg (1200m) at Kranji on Saturday.
In the absence of the region's top galloper Rocket Man, Mooring was able to show his ability and cruise home in the first leg of the time honoured championship.
Mooring, who kicked away his career in Australia with Lee Freedman, is now trained in Singapore by his brother Michael.
He raced in Australia on just three occasions and was placed twice - including a third to Wilander at Ballarat.
In Singapore he's the winner of four of his six runs.
Mooring was purchased as a yearling by Slade Bloodstock for $130,000 from the 2007 Magic Millions Yearling Sale at the Gold Coast.
A year earlier Damon Gabbedy purchased his full sister Bel Mer - who this won the Group One Robert Sangster Stakes at Morphettville.
Other clients of Magic Millions to benefit from the win included Patinack Farm who purchased a full sister to Bel Mer and Mooring in January this year for $260,000.
Also delighted with the result was Max and Judi Clarke of Windy Hill Thoroughbreds, who purchased a half to Drop Anchor (the dam of Bel Mer and Mooring) in foal to Bel Esprit in the past few days at the National Broodmare Sale.

Mooring 6/06/09

Mooring up to the Challenge in first Leg
Michael LeeSaturday, June 06, 2009

Danny Beasley salute's Mooring's Group 3 victory

For a video reply of the 3YO Challenge, click here.

Michael Freedman’s rise to the top of the training ranks at Kranji gathered further momentum when he claimed his second Group success with Mooring in the $250,000 Group 3 1st Leg of the Three-Year-Old Challenge (1200m) on Saturday.

Two months after Any Humour became the first runner to provide the second-year trainer with his first Singapore feature win in the Group 3 Chairman’s Trophy, another one of his more exciting prospects in Mooring gained another feather to his cap. Freedman currently sits third on the trainer’s premiership with a haul of 28 wins.

Ridden by Danny Beasley, the Bel Esprit three-year-old, who started as joint second elect at $18 with Dr Lemon (Robbie Fradd) was never further than two lengths away from race-leader and $15 favourite Bionic Boy (John Powell) from the jump.

Rounding the home turn, Beasley had a lapful of horse under him, and at the 300m, Mooring, sporting the famous red, purple and white colours of the Mummify Stable was still cantering.

But once his rider gave him his head, the issue was quickly put beyond any doubt. Mooring shot past the tiring Bionic Boy (who probably was feeling the pinch from his early exertions to get to the front from his wide alley) to hit the front at the 200m.

Powerful Ruler (Saimee Jumaat) and Waipapa (Barend Vorster) were closing in on Mooring but Freedman’s game sprinter had already pinched too much of a break for either to run him down. At the wire, the official winning margin was 1 ¼ length with only a short head separating Powerful Ruler from Waipapa.

Longshot Super Gold ran on bravely for fourth for Oscar Chavez while Bionic Boy could only run fifth, his first unplaced effort in six starts.

“He’s come a long way from the stirry horse he was at the beginning. Full credit goes to (senior track rider) Kate (Gibbs) for riding him every day at trackwork and teaching him how to settle,” said Freedman, who was at the double having saddled Jabal Tarik to a stirring win at only his second start two races earlier.

“I’m very pleased with the way he is settling, and depending how he pulls up, we may have a crack at the second Leg (1400m on June 26).

“I’m not sure if he can go a mile, but we’ll take it one step at a time.”

Trainer Michael Freedman (left) looks on as Committee Member Harry Elias (middle) presents Mummify Stable managing owner John O'Neill with the sash following Mooring's victory in the 1st leg of the Three-Year-Old Challenge on Saturday.

Freedman has always held a high opinion of the gelding despite his highly-strung temperament, and knew he had something out of the box after his fast-finishing second to Dream Lad over 1200m last time out.

“That was the run that gave me some confidence he would be up to today’s class, albeit he had only 50.5kg. He was luckless in that race as I think he races handy better.

“When he drew barrier 4 today, I was even more confident he would run well and it’s always good when things pan out.

“Danny has ridden him in most of his races and barrier trials and they have established a great rapport. He gave him every opportunity in the race and produced him at the right time.”

Beasley has now partnered Mooring to three of his four victories, and was in awe at the way the galloper has improved by leaps and bounds.

“The first day he choked down on the sand, he just wanted to go. I told Michael to tie his tongue and he’s been a different horse since.

“Kate is the one who does all the hard work on him. I am just the pilot on raceday.

“He’s always been one of the better three-year-olds here, but I have to say when Rocket Man was not in the line-up, that’s when I told Michael he should win.”

Singapore sprint sensation Rocket Man was at one stage earmarked for the first Leg but was not eventually entered for the race, leaving the race wide open for the other three-year-olds.

Mooring has now amassed prizemoney close to $250,000 and looks set to give his connections more glory if he keeps going on the same upward spiral.

MOORING IS UP TO THE CHALLENGE!
Bel Esprit ‘flyer’, Mooring is the toast of Singapore following his emphatic victory in the S$250,000 3YO Challenge-G3 at Kranji tonight (Saturday).
And the win has only served to enhance what has already been Bel Esprit’s best season to date, with Mooring becoming stakeswinner No. 6 for the Champion Victorian Sire.
Drawing barrier four and sitting just off the pace, Mooring peeled off the fence turning for home and from that point on, the result was never in doubt.
This was the second Group victory for Michael Freedman and, according to the Singapore Turf Club’s correspondent Michael Lee, Mooring is one of the most exciting prospects in the country.
“He’s come a long way from the stirry horse he was at the beginning,” Freedman said post race. “Full credit goes to (senior track rider) Kate (Gibbs) for riding him every day at trackwork and teaching him how to settle.
“I’m very pleased with the way he is settling, and depending how he pulls up, we may have a crack at the second leg (of the Challenge Series, over 1400m on 26 June).
Freedman has always held a high opinion of the gelding despite his highly-strung temperament, and knew he had something out of the box after his fast-finishing second to Dream Lad over 1200m last time out.
“That was the run that gave me some confidence he would be up to today’s class. He was luckless in that race as I think he races handy better.
“Danny (Beasley) has ridden him in most of his races and barrier trials and they have established a great rapport. He gave him every opportunity in the race and produced him at the right time.”
Beasley has now partnered Mooring to three of his four victories, and was in awe at the way the galloper has improved by leaps and bounds.
“He (Mooring) has always been one of the better three-year-olds here, but I have to say when Rocket Man was not in the line-up, that’s when I told Michael he should win.”
Mooring has now raced six times in Singapore for four wins and a second and has banked over a quarter million.
Owned by the Mummify Stable, named in honour of the 5-time Group One winner who won the 2005 Singapore International Cup, the syndicate was represented by John O’Neill who was on hand to accept the trophy with Freedman.
Mooring was purchased at the 2007 Gold Coast Magic Millions by Slade Bloodstock and is living right up to his family’s reputation.
Bred by Ariel Arnott, Mooring is out of the stakeswinning At Talaq mare, Drop Anchor, who has produced five winners from six to race, including Mooring’s full sister, Bel Mer (2009 Robert Sangster Stakes-G1).
Last year a Danbird half sister was sold to Robbie Griffiths for $250,000 – and, although unraced, is showing considerable promise – while a full sister to Bel Mer and Mooring was knocked down to Patinack Farm for $260,000 at the 2009 Gold Coast Magic Millions.
Eliza Park’s Asian representative, Lyle Plumb, said Mooring’s reception was sensational.
“They love the horse, but it’s also encouraging to note that both Eliza Park and Bel Esprit are getting plenty of media recognition,” Lyle enthused.
“(On Course commentator) Michael Maxworthy gave Bel Esprit a huge wrap after Mooring’s win and, as Eliza Park is the only Australian stud represented up here, the press is very favourable.
“It certainly didn’t hurt when Newfoundluck – bred by Eliza Park – came out and won the next race on the program.”
Trained by a great Eliza Park supporter in Dr Yeoh Kheng Chye, this was Newfoundluck’s second win from nine outings, but the 3YO has also run three seconds, two thirds and a fourth since January.

Mooring, Aranda 6/06/09

Mooring and Aranda in Singapore Tonight
RACE 9: SINGAPORE 3YO CHALLENGE (1ST LEG) (SINGAPORE GROUP 3) (3YO) (SET WEIGHTS) (RIDER ALLOWANCES NOT PERMITTED) - 1200M COURSE C (SC) (TURF TRACK) TIME: 17:25 PRIZE MONEY: S$250000
A good line-up of three-year-olds and it looks an open race. Mooring (3) has done nothing wrong since his debut effort here in Singapore when he choked down. He chased gamely against a handy older sprinter last time and from a good draw is expected to go close. Bionic Boy (5) has continued to step up when asked by Steven Burridge and is ready for his toughest task to date while Dr Lemon (10) chased gamely last time after an impressive debut performance and will be further improved. Powerful Ruler (2) is ultra consistent and knows where the line is. He’ll give this a shake.

Belcentra 5/06/09

MAGIC MILLIONS - DARLEY STRIKE AS BELCENTRA TOPS GOLD COAST SESSION

The team from Darley Australia struck on the second day of the Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale at the Gold Coast today with three purchases including the day's biggest.
John Sunderland signed for Belcentra, stakes winning Bel Esprit mare in foal to Exceed and Excel, for $500,000.
Offered by Segenhoe Stud, the mare proved popular with buyers who fought hard to secure the top prospect of today's session.
Darley Australia's Managing Director Henry Plumptre was delighted his team was able to buy three of the day's top offerings.
They also signed for Only She Can (in foal to Exceed and Excel) for $390,000 and Heat of the Fire (in foal to Flying Spur) for $260,000.
"We bought three mares today that all filled the same bracket," Plumptre said.
"They are young stakes performed mares with good conformation and in foal to good proven stallions."
"All of the mares had good, solid families under them."
Plumptre said competition was strong on the quality lots presented - saying he expected Belcentra to be easier to buy prior to the auction.
"Early in the sale the market showed that the quality mares were popular. We didn't think we would have to pay so much for her earlier on - but we had to raise our sights."
"There is a bit more confidence at this sale than there was at Easter time."

"Our ultimate aim is to produce nice racehorses for the boss to race and you'd have to be unlucky not to get a nice one from these three mares purchased today," Plumptre summed up.

Casabel 5/06/09

Cascabel Comes Back For Creswick
Thursday, 4 June 2009: Honest galloper Cascabel will back up on Saturday at Flemington in the Listed Creswick Stakes (1200m).The Robbie Griffiths-trained gelding raced at the same track last weekend but has done well during the week and will step up to his biggest test to date from seven career starts.
The three-year-old is yet to run a bad race and has weighed in at all his starts, including two wins over the 1200m journey.Last weekend, over 1400m, he sat off the pace but in nothing more than a sprint home, held his own when a three length fourth behind Rock Home Late and Burley Griffen, who were the first two turning.
“He's backing up but is in superb order and has a great appetite,” stable foreman Robert Kingston said.“He's coming back to 1200m but both his wins have been over the distance and he's a pretty straightforward horse with a high cruising speed.
“Last week was a funnily run race looking at the sectionals but we don't think he'll have any problem with the straight and he should be hard to hold out.”Kingston said Cascabel , a son of Bel Esprit, would return to 1400m at his next start.

Apparitions 3/06/09

Apparitions Appears Again

Clarrie Conners is a good trainer, he has saddled up Apparitions in eight starts for two wins and three placings and won $48,220 in prizemoney.

Considering that the Bel Esprit filly only cost $16,000 at William Inglis and Son Ltd 2007 Premier Yearling Sales, she has been at a coup for her Owners Victory Lodge Pty Ltd Synd (Mgr: C & M Conners), Mrs M Gelardi, Dr P & Mrs J Placanica, J & Mrs A Vizzone, A & Mrs M Salerno, P Vizzone & D Smyth who all seemed to be in the saddling paddock today after the win.

There are more wins in store for this talented three year old. This is the 179th win for the B.E. progeny.

Click line below to watch race

http://horseracing.bigpond.com/asx/windowsmedia.aspx?TagID=AR513461652454441072

5. Apparitions (AUS) [2005]Bel Esprit (AUS) - Stormy Petrel (AUS)
Siblings
APRIL STORM (AUS) [2001] - THUNDER GULCH (USA)1w-0p-5s $5,500Race: 1500-2300m Won: 1868-1868m Wet: 0w-0p-0s

PETREL BURNER (AUS) [2002] - THUNDER GULCH (USA)2w-0p-18s $9,800Race: 1100-1800m Won: 1600-1800m Wet: 0w-0p-1s

MISS PERCIVAL (AUS) [2003] - DEHERE (USA)2w-2p-9s $51,300Race: 1207-2040m Won: 1207-1400m Wet: 1w-0p-2sG2 0w-0p-1s

200 Wins? 3/06/09

Bel Boys and Girls, 200 Wins?

Is it possible for Bel Esprit (pictured right) progeny to notch 200 wins before the end of the current racing season?

The tracks are getting wetter and the Geelomg all weather track, where they won four races last year, is closed.

There are fifty nine days before the end of the season and twenty two winners are needed.

On the plus side, a few more two year olds are going to bob up and this third crop has a better strike rate, won better class races ( five City winners, Black Caviar (2), Tollesprit, Music in the Park and Genuine Stunner) and earned more money than the previous two crops.

We will update the scoreboard after every winner till the end of July.

Overall...starts..wins..place..total..% win..% place
1st crop...664......108..157......265...16.2....39.9
2nd crop.400.......62....92.......154...15.5....38.5
3rd crop...45.........8.....13.........21...17.8....46.7
Total.....1109......178...262......440..16.0....39.7

Crop...Starters....Winners....% win
1st.........70..............44............62.9
2nd........76..............42............55.3
3rd........24...............6.............25.0
Total...170..............92............54.1

Wins by seasons......................wins
From 1/8/06 till 31/7/07......10
From 1/8/07 till 31/7/08......54
From 1/8/08 till 31/7/09....114
Total......................................178

Belleluia 2/06/09

CLUB BELLE STEPS OUT
Belleluia, the Eliza Park-bred filly raced on lease by The Thoroughbred Magazine Club, couldn’t have been more impressive in finishing fourth, under a tight hold, in her first official barrier trial at the Cranbourne Training Complex last Monday.
Belleluia, ridden by Ivan Culliver, looked every bit a racehorse as she finished her 800m trial off strongly to cross the line about three lengths behind the winner Fivestar Lass, who set a cracking pace.
The time for the trial, run on ground rated a slow 6, was a slick 47.89 seconds – the second fastest of the eight 2YO trials of the morning (fastest was 47.54s).
Belleluia is a 2YO daughter Eliza Park’s Champion Victorian sire Bel Esprit from the stakesplaced mare Song Of The Sun (by Desert Sun from Song Of Norway). The filly is a three-quarter sister to Bel Esprit’s exciting stakeswinning 2YO Black Caviar (ex Belsinge, by Desert Sun from Scandinavia) – Song Of The Sun and Scandinavia are half-sisters.
Scandinavia also is the dam of Eliza Park’s promising second-season, Group 1 winning sire Magnus (by Flying Spur).
Trainer Robbie Griffiths was delighted with Belleluia’s performance: “She really has a lot to learn, and I was pleased by the way she finished off her trial.
“Being a tall filly with such a long stride, I don’t think she handled the wet track all that well, but once she got balanced, she looked very good,” he said.
Griffiths said that because Belleluia is in a growth spurt, he feels it is an opportune time to spell her for six weeks at Eliza Park.
All subscribers of The Thoroughbred magazine become members of The Thoroughbred Magazine Club. The Club has been formed to provide members with a greater involvement in thoroughbred racing across Australia, including all the fun and excitement of racehorse ownership without any of the costs.
Full details of The Thoroughbred subscription offer and learn more about The Thoroughbred Magazine Club, go to http://www.thethoroughbred.com.au/

Backabel 1/ 06 /09

Backabel at 30 to 1

After winning at Wagga on Christmas Eve last year, Backabel, a Bel Esprit son, was sent to the paddock after two runs in his second preparation.

Returning to racing on the 1st May, he ran last of eleven and the steward's report said Backabel hung out during the early and middle stages, proving difficult to ride.Passing the 300m Kickback Johnny shifted in and bumped Backabel, resulting in that horse becoming unbalanced.

Next start, he finished a credible eighth at Wagga, beaten by 3.4 lengths and yesterday he returned to Wagga and won and paid $30 a win and $7.80 the place.

Jumping from the outside fourteen barrier, Backabel went to the front and held off the fast finishing Labbra Zucchero to win by a neck.

Backabel is trained and part owned by Rodger Waters at Wantabadgery after being passed in at last year’s Sydney Classic.A half brother to five winners, including city winners Announcer and From the Boulevard, Backabel is out of an unraced sister to Blue Diamond Stakes-G1 winner Knowledge.

Siblings, five winners.

ULTIMUS (AUS) [1998] - ROYAL ACADEMY (USA)2w-4p-16s $9,700Race: 1200-2000m Won: 1300-1400m Wet: 0w-0p-0s

ANNOUNCER (AUS) [1999] - DEHERE (USA)2w-2p-7s $20,100Race: 1000-1400m Won: 1200-1350m Wet: 0w-0p-0s

THANKS FOR NOTHING (AUS) [2000] - DESERT KING (IRE)0w-1p-4s $200Race: 1200-1400m Won: 0-0m Wet: 0w-0p-0s

FROM THE BOULEVARD (AUS) [2001] - PEINTRE CELEBRE (USA)1w-7p-19s $32,100Race: 1200-2400m Won: 1900-1900m Wet: 1w-0p-3sLR 0w-0p-1s

NEBUCHADNEZZAR (AUS) [2002] - KING OF KINGS (IRE)4w-7p-25s $21,400Race: 1175-1600m Won: 1200-1400m Wet: 2w-2p-5s

MONTMARTRE MADAM (AUS) [2003] - PEINTRE CELEBRE (USA)1w-4p-15s $12,400Race: 1400-2050m Won: 1600-1600m Wet: 1w-0p-2s

BACK A BEL!
According to Google Maps, Wantabadgery is smack dab in the middle between Wagga Wagga and Gundagai.
Google wouldn’t reveal just how many people reside in Wantabadgery, but courtesy of a government website, we can reveal where the public toilet is located in Jewnee Street.
Yet, although Google failed us on this occasion, we’re relatively well informed that there are few traffic jams in Wantabadgery.
However, there was no doubt a celebratory drink downed by a few of its residents last night following the win of Backabel in the Class 1 Handicap at Wagga yesterday (1 June).
Backabel, a well bred 3YO by Bel Esprit, is trained and part owned by Rodger Waters on behalf of his family who also bred the nifty youngster.
Showing typical Bel Esprit pluck over the final stages, Backabel got up by a whisker: scoring at the rather juicy odds of $21.
Only lightly raced, Backabel has campaigned exclusively at Wagga (apart from a trip to Wodonga as a 2YO) and his previous victory was over the same journey as yesterday on the day before Christmas ’08.
Backabel is out of the unraced Last Tycoon mare, Thank You Ma’am, who has certainly done her job at stud, producing six winners from seven to race including city winners Announcer and From The Boulevard, while Rodger also trains the half sister - Monmartre Madam - who won at Seymour last November, along with an unraced 2YO half sister, Not So Coy.
Hailing from the stakeswinnning sprinter/miler, New Acquaintance, Thank You Ma’am is a sister to the brilliant 2YO, Knowledge, who won the 1997 Blue Diamond-G1, while the half sister Maslins Beach won a Group race at Moonee Valley a Listed event on the Sunshine Coast and two city races in Sydney.
This is also the family of another Blue Diamond winner in Midnight Fever.
Congratulations to all the Waters crew - we’ll continue to back a Bel as well.