Platinum Thoroughbreds lightly raced Pierro stallion Bellevue Hill is off the mark, with the heavily backed favourite Diva Las Vegas overcoming difficulties to make a winning debut over 900m at Newcastle on Saturday.
Ridden by Amy McLucas for Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott, Diva Las Vegas blew the start. Taking advantage of her inside barrier, the 2-year-old filly was hunted up to make the running.
She was entitled to feel the pinch in the closing stages but continued to rally to defeat the Zousain filly Collar by a length with the Godolphin’s Epaulette filly Glorioso in third.
Diva Las Vegas’ half-brother Monty The Missile (Smart Missile) came close to making it a notable double later in the day when he was inched out by Lumon in a 1200m super maiden when making his career debut.
A homebred for Will Manning, Diva Las Vegas is out of the winning Snitzel mare Vegas Strip, who hails from the family of dual Group 1 winner Victory Vein.
Diva Las Vegas is just the second runner for Bellevue Hill, who was a $400,000 yearling. The son of Pierro won the Group III ATC The Schweppervescence and was runner-up to Yes Yes Yes in the Group II Todman Stakes.
He stands for $3,300 at Platinum Thoroughbreds Victoria.
