More joy for the South Australians with the Will Clarken-trained Bella Vella making it four in a row with a successful seasonal debut in Saturday’s Group II Mittys McEwen Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley.
Making her first start since a career-defining win in the Group 1 SAJC Robert Sangster Stakes at Morphettville on May 2, Bella Vella raced on pace under Jamie Kah but found a willing opponent in the 7yo Hard Spun gelding Ashlor who only relinquished his lead in the final strides with consistent Starspangledbanner mare Brooklyn Hustle three-quarter of a length back in third.
With three wins and a second at the course amd distance, Bella Vella is a remarkable tale. The 6yo daughter of Commands was retired to stud in 2018 by Sir Owen Glenn to be covered by his sub-fertile 4-time Group 1 winner Criterion
When she came up negative Bella Vella was put up for sale on Inglis Online and the $22,500 shelled out by part-owner John Kellton has proven to be a rare bargain.
With her third stakes win, Bella Vella advances her record to 10 wins, 5 seconds and 3 thirds from 29 starts with earnings of $756,560.
Originally purchased by Paul Moroney Bloodstock for $100,000 out of the Willow Park draft at the 2016 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, Bella Vella is the best of three winners from as many to race out of the imported Stormy Atlantic mare Forget The Weather (USA) who is a half-sister to three stakes-winners, Wedlock (Maria’s Mon), Ever After (Kris S) and Extravert (Wild Again).
Forget The Weather was purchased by Fionnuala Timoney for $20,000 at the 2019 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale when carrying a Shooting To Win colt who was sold for $25,000 at the 2020 Inglis 2020 APRIL Online Sale.
Forget The Weather has a 2yo Smart Missile colt named Typhoon Force who was purchased by Gollan Racing/John Foote/Aquis/BRT Bloodstock for $75,000 at the 2019 Magic Millions Gold Coast March Yearling Sale.
Forget The Weather was covered Gailieo’s 4-time Group 1 winning son Churchill (IRE) last spring.
