Oaks Dream for Bargain Buy Staying Filly

Media Release - Thursday Sep 7
Blanco Belle will face an early test in black type company on Saturday and her performance at Wanganui could fuel a longer-term dream of an Australian classic.

Blanco Belle - Race ImagesShe will make her second appearance in the Listed The O'Leary's Fillies' Stakes following a dominant effort to win on debut at Hawera last month.

"She's a staying filly and this is her first preparation," part-owner and trainer Susan Rainford said.

"She was difficult to break in – she's tough and strong for her age, even though she doesn't actually turn three until October.

"There's not a lot around for staying fillies in New Zealand so we might give her a spell after this.

There's a nice race in Australia – the VRC Oaks, that's ambitious but you never know."

Rainford said she had been particularly pleased with Blanco Belle's recent work at New Plymouth.

"She galloped last Tuesday, the 29th, in a faster time than Kawi and this Tuesday her track rider said she galloped better, more settled."

The only glitch in the preparation has been confirming a jockey for the filly.

"I thought I had Chris Johnson, but his agent rang on Monday to say he was riding at Riccarton and a lot of the other jockeys were taken," Rainford said.

"Kate Cowan, who won on her at Hawera, is also riding down there so I've got Sarah MacNab."

Blanco Belle could prove a smart piece of business for Rainford and her partners as she only cost them $3000 out of Cambridge Stud's draft at New Zealand Bloodstock's National Weanling Sale at Karaka in 2015.

"She was the only Cape Blanco in the sale and I thought a lot of him," she said. "He was well-performed and by Galileo." – NZ Racing Desk.

Footnote : Blanco Belle is from the family of Group I WATC West Australian Derby winner Wonder Dancer and claims Champion NZ 3YO Star Belle as her fourth dam.

Advertisment
More Reading...
One to Watch – Mornington
A homebred for Seymour Bloodstock with an intriguing pedigree opened her account with a stylish win at Mornington on Tuesday.
Remembering Sunline – The Queen of the Cox Plate Before Winx
From our vantage point in 2026, we can look back at modern Cox Plate history and marvel at how quickly the years are passing.
First Stakes Win for Dark Princess
Progressive mare Dark Princess continued her rise up the ranks with her first victory at stakes level when successful in Saturday’s Group III Gee & Hickton Thompson Handicap (1600m) at Trentham.
Unraced Brother to G2 Winner Hope in Your Heart Tops MM Digital
Unraced three-year-old Dundeel gelding Putcee (Lot 4) topped the Magic Millions Digital (6-11 Nov) Sale which concluded this afternoon, selling for $30,000 to Liam Ruddy after 38 bids.
Doing Time Wins $100,000 Sprinters Challenge at Riccarton
Lee Callaway shared many jockeys’ rooms with Chris Johnson throughout his riding career, so it was only fitting that the Waikouaiti trainer took out the inaugural running of the Chris Johnson Three-Year-Old Sprinters Challenge (1200m) at Riccarton on Wednesday with Doing Time.
Sires With Winners - Tuesday November 10
Here is the full list of 16 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
2027 Golden Slipper Entries – Sortable Sale Mail – Find Out More
The new season is nearly upon us and that means all over the country a new crop of rising two year-olds are taking baby steps in the best stables in the land with the Australian Turf Club announcing this week they had received 1881 entries for the 2027 Golden Slipper, so who is in the race?
Super Seth 3YO Leads Waller First Four in $100,000 Super Maiden
The $100,000 Super Maiden (1400m) at Warwick Farm on Wednesday delivered a first four for the Chris Waller stable with victory going to the well backed favourite Quarterback, who has a half-brother to be offered at the NZB Ready to Run Sale next week.
Remembering Northerly – The Greatest Caulfield Cup Winner This Century
It's Caulfield Cup week, and what better moment to revisit the life and times of one of the greatest - if not the greatest - Caulfield Cup winner of the modern era.
Inglis Digital Purchase Iron Hawk to Tackle G3 TAB Mile
Harness racing trainer Barry Purdon bought Iron Hawk last year with New Zealand Cup Week in mind, and now the moment has arrived, with the stakes performer set to tackle the Gr.3 TAB Mile (1600m) at Riccarton on Wednesday.