Talented Zousain filly Bellazain was only a first emergency for the $2million Inglis Millennium, but her connections got a nice consolation prize when she resumed from a spell to score a brilliant win in the Listed ATC Lonhro Plate (1000m) at Randwick on Saturday.
The Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott trained filly was only seventh in the Group III ATC Gimcrack Stakes on debut last spring, but has come back in great shape and with two recent trial wins under her belt was ready to fire.
She finished with a well timed run under Regan Bayliss and pulled out plenty under pressure to deny Bivouac colt Beiwacht to win by half a length.
“That’s just consolation for the owners and she’s gotten some important Black Type and residual value and importantly some prizemoney to count towards going to the Golden Slipper,” said Adrian Bott.
“She’s a lovely big strong filly and certainly up to a Golden Slipper. She’s had the advantage of having had a previous prep although things didn’t necessarily go to plan for her in the Gimcrack, but we always thought of her as one of our leading fillies going into that race, but the wide draw affected her on the day.
“No excuses today, she’s come back a stronger and more seasoned filly and she can put her hand up to go to one of the fillies lead up races, potentially the Sweet Embrace and we can get her fully qualified for the Slipper.”
A $160,000 Inglis Classic purchase from Widden Stud for Gai Waterhouse / Adrian Bott / Kestrel Thoroughbreds, Bellazaine runs for a big group of all women owners and has already banked $135,500 for her first win.
Bred by Supido Pty Ltd and foaled and raised at Widden Stud, Bellazaine is the fourth winner from four foals to race from Benella and is her first stakes-winner.
Benella is a placed three-quarter sister-in-blood to Group II winners Doubtland and Villa Verde, the dam of Group III MRC Blue Diamond Preview winner My Gladiola.
Bellazaine is the third stakes-winner for Zousain joining Group winning fillies Drifting and Amelita.
