Group 1 mare trials strongly at Canterbury
Trainer Will Clarken will weigh up his options in Sydney and Melbourne with stable gun Bella Vella after the Group 1 winner impressed when going toe-to-toe with Haut Brion Her at Canterbury trials on Tuesday.
Bella Vella was edged out by a nose by Chris Waller’s The Galaxy favourite in a 905m heat with the duo putting 3-3/4 lengths on their nearest rival on the morning.
Haut Brion Her gets the nose down to beat @Clarken_Racing's Group 1 winner Bella Vella in a trial at Canterbury on Tuesday, Stolen Jade finishes in third. @tabcomau@[email protected]/gmJM5xdOEw
“I thought she was fantastic,” Clarken said.
“She is a horse that never trials brilliant but that‘s the best she has trialled in a long time.
“The horse of Waller‘s (Haut Brion Her) was going better than her on the line but she was strong through the line.”
Clarken will make a choice between the Group 2 Challenge Stakes at Randwick over 1000m next week and the Newmarket Handicap (1200m) for Bella Vella’s next start.
“We will see what the fields look like,” he said.
Bella Vella is already a Group 1 winner after winning the Sangster Stakes last autumn at Morphettville.
She is $34 in Newmarket Handicap betting with TAB.com.au.
Bella Vella won the McEwen Stakes at The Valley Racecourse last spring. Photo: Natasha Morello/Racing Photos via Getty ImagesSource:Getty Images
Clarken is based in Adelaide at Morphettville but has kept his star sprinter on the East Coast since she took part in the Magic Millions last month.
Things didn’t go to plan on the Gold Coast when Bella Vella finished back in the field in 11th in the Magic Millions Sprint but believes there were reason for the daughter of Commands’ performance.
“She missed a trial going in because I didn’t understand the lay of the land up there,” Clarken said.
“I wanted trial her at the Sunshine Coast but logistically it wasn’t possible so elected not to trial her.
“By the time she got to the races when she is usually as quiet as a lamb, she was a bit wound up.
“We want to give her another go at the Sydney way.”
Originally published asClarken weighs up autumn test for SA gun
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