Belle Cheval’s win breaks Kiwi racing’s drought in Australia Group 1s

Belle Cheval (right) held on to win the Vinery Stakes at Rosehill by a nose. Photo / Bradley Photos

In Sydney – New Zealand thoroughbred racing’s Group 1 drought in Australia has been broken in the most dramatic of circumstances today.

Matamata filly Belle Cheval became the first New Zealand-trained horse to win at racing’s highest level on Australian soil in two years when she clung on to win the A$750,000 ($900,000) Vinery Stud Stakes at Rosehill in Sydney by a nose.

Belle Cheval nearly cost herself the race not once but twice by running around in the home straight, her swerve under jockey Zac Lloyd costing her momentum at the 200m mark and encouraging the connections of runner-up After Summer to lodge a protest.

But that was soon dismissed, so Belle Cheval gets one back in the steward’s room after she was beaten by a nose in the NZB Kiwi three weeks ago at Ellerslie after her connections had a protest thrown out.

Her win today is the first Group 1 by a New Zealand-trained horse since Orchestral won the same race, the Vinery Stakes, two years ago and increases Belle Cheval’s future broodmare value.

The veteran of seven starts for four wins and the daughter of Savabeel was bred by successful owner/breeder David Archer and is likely to become part of co-trainer Mark Walker’s Cranbourne stable rather than returning to New Zealand.

The fact she beat Australia’s best 2000m fillies at her first time past 1600m suggests she has enormous options next season.

“She is a very, very good filly,” said Walker.

“It was nice to hold one in the protest room after we went so close in the Kiwi a few weeks ago and she has it all ahead of her.

“What a day for the stable and I am thrilled for her connections as these Australian Group 1 wins are really hard to get.”

New Zealand Oaks winner Ohope Wins was a brave fourth after being ridden handier than usual and will be better suited by the 2400m of the ATC Oaks in two weeks.

Not only did the win break New Zealand’s transtasman Group 1 drought, it also provided a remarkable day for Walker and training partner Sam Bergerson after they earlier won the $550,000 Courtesy Ford Sires’ Produce Stakes, also at Group 1 level, at Trentham with Seize The Day.

There was less drama in his victory as the colt was ridden confidently by Opie Bosson, who pressed forward from his wide draw to sit outside the leader.

When Bosson pushed the button, Seize The Day exploded clear to thrash Sweetest Thing by four-and-a-half lengths, the result having more personal significance for Bergerson as his father Roydon trains the runner-up.

“That was so special, first to see our colt win like that and then to run the quinella with Dad’s horse,” said Bergerson.

“He is a huge talent this horse and only getting started.”

Being a son of superstar Australian sire I Am Invincible and well-bred on his dam’s side, Seize The Day is already a long way towards a commercial stallion deal after three starts.

Being so untapped he should develop more and could add some serious dollars to his future value next season.

Seize The Day was purchased by Te Akau Racing principal David Ellis, in partnership with Kia Ora Stud, out of Yarraman Park Stud’s 2025 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale draft for A$600,000.

Michael Guerin wrote his first nationally published racing articles while still in school and started writing about horse racing and the gambling industry for the Herald as a 20-year-old in 1990. He became the Herald’s Racing Editor in 1995 and covers the world’s biggest horse racing carnivals.