Spring is in the air in the UK with the Listed Betfred Blue Riband Trial (1m2f) run at Epsom overnight and there was some Aussie interest with Chief Little Rock, a Galileo colt from Australian Group I winning Fastnet Rock mare Amicus engaged, but he came up short finishing third to a promising colt by Sea the Stars.
Trained by Andrew Balding, Bellum Justum was having his first run of the year after closing out his juvenile season with a maiden win at Newmarket last September at his fourth start.
He was strong to the line for Oisin Murphy beating Camelot colt Defiance by three-quarters of a length with the favourite Chief Little Rock a close up third.
“Bellum Justum showed some promise last year but had a little setback about a month ago. I think he is bound to come on for the run and we thought that whatever happened today, we would go to the Dante Stakes next and see where we are with him. Obviously, I need to talk it over with the owners but if all goes well there then the Derby would be the plan,” said Andrew Balding.
Bellum Justum runs for King Power Racing and was a 375,000 guinea purchase from Tattersalls October Yearling Sale Book 1 for Sackville Donald.
He is the first winner for Natural Beauty, a winning half-sister by Oasis Dream to Group III winner Laaheb from the family of Group I winners Warrsan and Luso with his third dam the blue hen Lucayan Princess.
Bellum Justum is the 118th stakes-winner for Aga Khan Stud’s heavy hitter Sea the Stars.
