Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images)
Belle Cheval (Savabeel) will head into the $4 million NZB Kiwi (1500m) in winning form after taking out the Gr.3 Eagle Technology Uncle Remus Stakes (1400m) at Ellerslie on Saturday.
Following her convincing win in last month’s Gr.3 Almanzor Trophy (1200m) on Karaka Millions night, she was meant to head to Matamata last week for her final lead-in run for the Champions Day feature, but inclement conditions forced trainers Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson to delay that final hit-out by a week.
The Matamata conditions identified the Uncle Remus as her Plan B, and punters backed her in their droves, with Belle Cheval jumping an even money favourite.
From her outside gate in the 12-horse field, she was initially taken back to settle near the rear of the field by jockey Opie Bosson, but the leading hoop didn’t want to be too far off the pace so elected to push forward three-wide behind Cambridge Stud gelding Zivou.
Bosson presented Belle Cheval beautifully at the top of the straight where she began to chase down Tale Of The Gypsy, collaring him at the 200m mark before holding off the late challenge of Panther to win by a long neck.
Bosson was pleased with the performance and believes the daughter of Savabeel will be on song for the NZB Kiwi.
“You couldn’t have asked for anything better,” Bosson said. “I was three deep the whole way but I had cover, I just didn’t want to be too far off them turning in and once she balanced up she attacked the line nicely. She is a really good filly going forward.
“She will appreciate the step up in distance (in the NZB Kiwi). She is going to be very competitive.”
Te Akau Racing’s assistant trainer Reece Trumper was rapt with the performance and said it was a good final building block towards the NZB Kiwi.
“She was meant to run last Saturday at Matamata but wet conditions forced us to scratch her,” he said. “She worked well during the week and she is just going from strength to strength. She keeps on improving, which is fantastic to see, she is building the right way.”
Belle Cheval, who will represent slot holders The King’s Men, remained an equal $8 second elect, alongside Asakura, in the TAB’s futures market for the NZB Kiwi, which is headed by undefeated Group One-winning filly Well Written at $1.20, with Wexford Stable’s Panther shortening from $26 to $18 following his eye-catching run on Saturday.
The second running of the NZB Kiwi will take place at Ellerslie on Champions Day, March 7, and there is set to be plenty of action over the next fortnight, with six slot holders still to lock in their runner.
