Belly Up overcomes the odds
Everything, it seemed, was transpiring to prevent Belly Up from contesting, let alone winning, the $215,000 Allwood Stud Westbred Classic for two-year-old colts and geldings at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
A gentle soul with a friendly nature, the mischievous Belly Up had the annoying habit of stomping on each of his front feet, resulting in ripping off his metal shoes and destroying the inner framework of his complex, precious and suspectable hooves.
A concrete-like mixture was used to fortify the crumbling hooves, and then finally, translucent fibreglass coverings were devised --- cumbersome yet strangely streamlined casts that completed surrounded Belly Up’s two front feet.
And then to add to Belly Up’s woes, he drew the dreaded and distinctly and disadvantageous No. 9 barrier, on the outside of the front line in the group 1 feature event.
Worse was to follow for the Foreclosure gelding who was a comparative outsider at $20.50 for champion trainers Greg and Skye Bond and star driver Deni Roberts.
On the first corner 200m after the start Belly Up locked sulky wheels with $9 chance Hold The Ammo, causing that colt to break into a gallop, and Belly Up to lose a couple of lengths and drop back to the rear.
Roberts was then seen anxiously glancing down a few times at her near-side sulky wheel, fearing that the tyre had been punctured. “Luckily, it didn’t go down,” she said after scoring a remarkable victory.
But that was her last piece of good fortune. Belly Up was racing six back on the pegs in 11TH position in the home straight racing for the bell when Beatitlikebeca broke into a gallop when racing three back on the pegs.
“It was like a domino effect and Belly Up was badly checked,” said Roberts. “We lost a good length, but more importantly we lost momentum. And then when we were racing down the back straight, we got another bad check (when outsider Rocky Maguire, who was racing immediately in front of Belly Up at that stage, was restrained off the sulky of the horse ahead of him).
“I’m over this I said to myself, and I just pulled to the outside.”
Belly Up was a clear last in the field of twelve with 300m to travel, and he then unleashed a spectacular burst of speed, out six and seven wide, to charge to the front in the final few strides. He beat the $6.50 equal second favourite Captain Stirling by a neck, with the $2.65 favourite Paint The Palette just under a half-length away in third place.
Belly Up, whose only win at his only six starts before Friday night’s race was when he finished along the sprint lane to beat Xpress Party by a nose over 2100m at Bunbury on July 23, rated 1.58 over 2130m and boosted his earnings to $132,830.
Rob Gartrell, whose Running Camel business races Belly Up in partnership with Team Bond, gleefully pronounced the gelding was a bargain, having been purchased for $40,000 at the 2023 APG Perth yearling sale.
The win gave Greg and Skye Bond their second success in this event, following Give Us A Wave’s win over Mighty Ronaldo in 2020.
It also was a special milestone for Roberts, giving her a second group 1 victory, following her easy all-the-way win with the Bond-trained Vegas Strip in the Golden Slipper last September.
“When the fields came out for the Golden Slipper, I was confident about Vegas Strip’s prospects, but I wasn’t confident at all tonight,” she admitted.
“Not many two-year-olds could cop that many checks in a race and finish off like Belly Up did tonight. He is a lovely natured horse; anyone can handle him, and he’s a stable favourite. But his habit of pulling his shoes off was quite concerning.
“He pulled quite a bit of his feet away, and they have had to be built up. It almost got to the point where we almost couldn’t get shoes on him any more. However, the farriers have done an awesome job with him.
“He has been wearing bell boots, and we’ve been taking every precaution with him. He has always been pulling his shoes off, but the trouble has been worse in recent times. He has had the fibreglass casts built the whole way around to support his hooves. The casts have been on for only a week, and everything has worked out fine.
“I’m excited about the future when I expect him to be a much better horse as a three-year-old.”
Belly Up is by the New Zealand-bred stallion Foreclosure and is out of the New Zealand mare Thats The Spirit, who has produced eight other winners, including Patrickthepiranha (121 starts for 35 wins, 33 placings and $625,620) and Middlepage (100 starts for 18 wins, 21 placings and $184,833).
Shades of Daintys Daughter
Reinette is a small and unassuming filly who bears no resemblance to her famous relation of yesteryear, the tall, leggy and haughty Daintys Daughter, a world champion more than 50 years ago.
She is a direct descendant of Dainty Widow, the dam of Daintys Daughter, who set a world record for two miles when she won the WA Pacing Cup on January 1, 1970, rating 2.4.5 in the standing-start event.
A year earlier, Daintys Daughter won the Meteor Mile at Gloucester Park when her time of 1.58.8 set a world record for a mare on a half-mile track.
Reinette certainly has inherited a good share of Daintys Daughter’s ability, her speed and keen competitive nature.
All this was on show at Gloucester Park on Friday night when Reinette, a daughter of former star pacer Vincent and the second foal out of Aqueensomewhere, was driven by Trent Wheeler to a thrilling victory in the group 1 $215,000 Allwood Stud Westbred Classic for two-year-old fillies.
Reinette, a $9.20 chance, began from the inside of the back line in the 2130m classic, with Wheeler revealing great patience, content to race three back on the pegs in fifth position while $26 chance Winter Wonder was setting a solid pace from the tough filly Iseeubaby ($5.50) in the breeze, Ruby Lovera ($3.90) trailing the pacemaker and Bull Shark Betty ($9) enjoying a perfect trip in the one-out, one-back position.
Wheeler bided his time until he was able to ease Reinette into the clear 450m from home, and he quickly switched her three wide to follow a fast charge from the $3.30 favourite Copper Head Lady, who hit the front about 140m from the post.
Reinette sustained her strong effort and she and Copper Head Lady were locked together down the home straight until Reinette got her nose in front in the final stages to score by a half-head, rating 1.56.8.
Reinette, who won the group 2 Champagne Classic in May this year, gave the 39-year-old Wheeler his fourth group 1 success, following the wins of Once Bitten in the Westbred Classic for three-year-old fillies in July 2015, Pinny Tiger in the Four-Year-Old Classic in December 2022, and Simply Shaz in the Mares Classic last November.
For Coolup trainer Frank Nafranec (69) it was his first group 1 victory, and he races the filly in partnership with his wife Alison, their sons Adam and Rick, Travis O’Neill, Matt Feighan, Graham Ventris, David Hickmott and Sean Farrell. Reinette, purchased for $15,000 at the 2023 APG Perth yearling sale, has now earned $160,676 from five wins and two placings from ten starts.
Aqueensomewhere, who earned $44,768 from six wins and 12 placings from 31 starts, is out of Queen Delilah, who was retired after 67 starts for ten wins, 25 placings and $66,421. Queen Delilah was a smart two-year-old when her ten starts resulted in three wins and five placings, including her third behind Typhoon Whitby in the State Sires Series (now known as the Westbred Classic) in August 1999.
Little Darling breaks the drought
Talented five-year-old Little Darling broke a 21-month drought when Chris Lewis drove her to an impressive win in the $27,000 Bookings@Alwoodstud.com.au Pace for Westbred mares at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
“Maybe this is a turning point for her,” said Lewis. “She is capable of winning more races in town. She is not one-dimensional, and she is a versatile mare.
“Little Darling has been running some very good races from behind, and tonight she showed what she can do when she leads.”
Little Darling, trained in Busselton by Barry Howlett, was good value as a $9.10 chance on the tote, and she began well from barrier three, took the lead after 150m and set a solid pace before winning by one and a half lengths from $16 chance Paroquet, who fought on grandly after working in the breeze.
Little Darling, who rated 1.56.9 over the 2130m journey, has now earned $155,404 from eight wins and 13 placings from 30 starts. She is by Art Major and is the first foal out of Bettors Delight mare Fay Darling, who raced 22 times in Western Australia for five wins on country tracks and seven placings for stakes of $33,106.
A relatively easy task
Maddison Brown enjoyed a relatively easy assignment when she drove $1.50 favourite Relatively Arma to a comfortable victory in the $21,000 Allwood Stud Westbred Classic Consolation Pace for three-year-old fillies at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
“With her, sometimes you don’t know what horse is going to turn up,” said Brown. “But tonight, she felt really strong. Her main attribute is when she leads.”
Relatively, Arma, trained by Brown’s father Colin, began out wide at barrier seven, but she gave her rivals little chance by beginning speedily, dashing straight to the front and then setting the pace after ambling through the lead time of the 2130m event in 38.6sec. and dawdling through the opening quarter of the final mile in a pedestrian 31.4sec.
She was not extended in winning by a length from $34 chance Reelem Inn, who trailed the pacemaker throughout. Bazaar Package ($4.60) raced in the breeze for most of the way and battled on into third place.
Relatively Arma is by Renaissance Man and is out of Bettors Delight mare Arma Fifty Five. She has earned $58,052 from five wins and nine placings from 30 starts and is following in the footsteps of her full-sister Fifty Five Reborn (71 starts for 15 wins, 12 placings and $263,298) and full-brother Arma Einstein (117 starts for 18 wins, 50 placings and $349,110).
Relatively Arma’s win completed a double for Colin and Maddison Brown, who had combined earlier in the night to win with Arma Xfactor in the $27,000 Owner Deb Whithead Pace over 2130m.
Five-year-old Arma Xfactor shared favouritism at $2.20 with The Miki Taker, the only other five-year-old in the race. Barrier two proved to be a decisive factor in favour of Arma Xfactor, who set the pace from Otis ($6) in the breeze and The Miki Taker in the one-out, one-back position.
After a slow lead time of 38.3sec. and comfortable opening quarters of 30.3sec. and 29.2sec. Arma Xfactor dashed over the final 400m sections in 28sec. and 28.2sec. and won by a half-length from The Miki Taker, who finished strongly.
“He got a bit keen on the gate early but then was able to run a soft lead time,” said Maddison Brown. “I knew that The Miki Taker would be coming, so when he pulled out, three wide, I elected to get going.”
Arma Xfactor rated 1.56.3 and took his record to 54 starts for 15 wins, nine placings and $164,695. Arma Xfactor is by American Ideal and is the third foal out of Arma Xpress, who amassed $279,890 from twelve wins and one second placings from 18 starts. Maddison Brown drove Arma Xpress once --- at her final start when she finished fifth behind Heez On Fire on October 27, 2014.
Skylord’s hat-trick
Quality four-year-old Skylord enjoyed a perfect trip in the one-out, one-back position before sprinting home strongly to score an easy victory in the $27,000 Allwood Stud Supporting Breeders Pace at Gloucester Park on Friday night to complete a hat-trick of wins at headquarters.
“It all worked out; the pace was genuine,” said trainer-driver Jocelyn Young. “I was tempted to nick around them, but I decided to be patient. I was in a nice enough spot, and it’s nice to sit him up in his races. And now that he is up in grade it is good to know that he is happy racing that way.”
Infinite Sign ($11) set the pace from Goodfellaz ($17) in the breeze and Crowd Control prominent in the one-out, one-back position.
Goodfellaz got to the front 350m from home before Skylord sped past him with 120m to travel. Skylord, the $1.90 favourite, won by 2m from $15 chance Flying Rumour, who was seventh at the bell and caught the eye with his fast-finishing effort.
Skylord has now raced 28 times for eleven wins and ten placings for stakes of $192,499.
Wheeler is a good judge
Collie reinsman Trent Wheeler had the choice of four drives in the Breed To Ultimate Sniper Westbred Pace at Gloucester Park on Friday night --- and he proved to be a smart judge when he selected seven-year-old Longreach Bay, who had failed to be placed at his eight previous starts.
Longreach Bay, trained in Coolup by Peter King, was third favourite at $4.80, and he gave a good frontrunning performance to win by almost a half-length from the $3.70 favourite Rock Me Over, with Amazing American ($19) a half-head away in third place and just in front of $9 chance Follow Rocknroll, one of the three pacers that Wheeler had the opportunity to handle.
Wheeler said the deciding factor in his choice was that Longreach Bay had drawn the coveted No. 1 barrier, and he also took into account that he had driven the gelding at his most recent win --- when he led from barrier four over 2130m at Gloucester Park three months earlier.
Longreach Bay was smartest into stride and the gelding was able to stroll through the lead time in 38.5sec. before he increased the tempo when Aiden De Campo dashed nine-year-old Rock Me Over from ninth with a fast move to the breeze 650m after the start and put pressure on the leader.
The opening 400m section whizzed by in 28.9sec. and then Longreach Bay had a breather with a second quarter of 31sec. before he covered the final sections in 28.9sec. and 29.9sec. and was able to defy Rock Me Over, who fought on valiantly.
“Longreach Bay went well, and life is a lot easier when you’re in front,” said Wheeler. “Most horses excel when they’re on the rail.”
Longreach Bay is by Renaissance Man and is out of Ambro Operative mare Back In The Black, who raced 43 times for seven wins, 18 placings and $58,780. Longreach Bay has earned $136,947 from 11 wins, seven placings from 59 starts.
His elder half-sister Cott Beach was retired after racing 41 times for 15 wins, 14 placings and $275,902. As a two-year-old Cott Beach won the group 1 Westbred Classic for fillies, the group 2 Champagne Classic and the group 3 Westsired Pace. He also finished second to Jack Mac in the Golden Slipper, and the following season she finished 3rd behind King Of Swing in the WA Derby.
High hopes for Louie Dior
Inexperienced but highly exciting --- that’s Louie Dior, who is good enough to command a start in the rich feature events for four-year-olds in November and December, according to his trainer Annie Belton.
Louie Dior has resumed racing after an eight-month absence in a blaze of glory with three commanding wins and a nose second to Skylord.
The latest of those victories was in the $27,000 Fly Like An Eagle Pace over 2130m at Gloucester Park on Friday night when Ryan Bell dashed him to the front after 500m and set the pace on his way to beating Marbeechsam by three lengths.
“I’m hoping he makes the grade for the big feature events for four-year-olds,” said Belton. “He is still a work in progress and is still learning.”
Louie Dior, who was bred by Belton and her husband Colin, appears on the doorstep of an outstanding career. He has had only twelve starts for eight wins, a second and $65,696 in prizemoney.
“He is very special to us,” said Annie Belton. “He had a bad start in life,” and we nearly lost him when he was suffering from a bad attack of ulcers and ended up in Murdoch Hospital. So, he has come a long way and he’s all good at the moment.
“He is the first foal out of our mare Dior Mia More, who lost her second foal (by Soho Tribeca) at birth a couple of years ago and had to be put down.”
Dior Mia More earned $77,806 from ten wins and five placings from 20 starts, and Louie Dior, a massive gelding, will be her only progeny to race.
Bell is greatly impressed by the potential of Louie Dior, saying: “He is a serious horse, and getting easy kills like he has been, is helping his confidence. If he stays sound and healthy I think you will see him in the major races in a couple of months.”
Water Lou smashes record
Outstanding youngster Water Lou smashed the race record when she romped to an effortless victory in the $100,000 Allwood Stud Westbred Classic for three-year-old fillies at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
The $1.20 favourite was not extended by reinsman Shannon Suvaljko as she coasted to victory by a length from $11 second fancy Copy Cat Queen, rating 1.55.5 over the 2130m to lower the record rate of 1.56 set by the Brilliant Wonderful To Fly two years ago.
From the No. 1 barrier Copy Cat Queen led for the first 300m, while Suvaljko gave Water Lou ample time to settle down before surging past Copy Cat Queen to take up the running.
After a smart lead time of 35.9sec. the opening quarter was run in a slow 31.5sec. before Water Lou sprinted over the final quarters in 28.5sec., 28.4sec. and 28.5sec.
Copy Cat Queen got into the clear 100m from the post and finished determinedly to be second with $19 chance Lion Queen, a stablemate of the winner, fighting on gamely to finish third after settling at the rear and then racing in the breeze in the final circuit.
“Water Lou began from the No. 4 barrier, and Suvaljko said: “I wasn’t expecting to lead. She came out on the bit, and she probably could have crossed to the front. But I didn’t want to put all my eggs in one basket, out of the gate.
“So, I just let her slide out by herself, and she just naturally shows speed. And once Aiden (De Campo) handed up (the lead with Copy Cat Queen), it was a leisure after that.
“For Water Lou to run the final three quarters as fast as she did and go to the line as strongly as she did, after the fast lead time, was a good sign for the future.”
Trainer Mike Reed said that Water Lou is a laid-back filly who is never likely to win by 30 or 40 metres. “Shannon didn’t pull the plugs, and she still ran a fast time,” he said.
“Water Lou and Lion Queen will now be set for the Daintys Daughter Classic and the WA Oaks.” Water Lou now boasts a marvellous record of 26 starts for 21 wins, two seconds and $420,009, with owner Jim Giumelli declaring: “If you’re putting your horse up against Water Lou you might meet your Waterloo.”
Bet On The House is the best!
Star pacer Bet On The House is the best three-year-old in the State, was the bold statement from Byford trainer Ron Huston after the gelding caused a minor upset by beating the brilliant Waverider, the $1.30 favourite, in the $100,000 Allwood Stud Westbred Classic for three-year-old colts and geldings over 2130m at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
Waverider went into the group 2 event with seven wins from 13 starts but had to lower his colours to $5.40 chance Bet The House, who was driven aggressively by Chris Voak.
Kyle Symington sent Waverider straight to the front from the No. 2 barrier, while Voak sent Bet The House (barrier four) forward, three wide, after 200m to zoom into the breeze. Soon after that Atlas Of Titan ($71) moved to the breeze, giving Bet The House an ideal trail, one-out and one-back.
After opening quarters of 28.4sec. and 30.9sec. Voak urged Bet The House forward, three wide, with 900m to travel, and the gelding got to the breeze and moved on terms with Waverider at the 100m before taking a narrow lead 50m later and winning by a neck from Waverider, rating 1.56.9.
Rox The World, a $31 chance who raced three back on the pegs in fifth position, got off the pegs on the home turn and charged home, out five wide, to finish a close third, just in front of Ideal Muscle ($17), who was eighth at the bell and flew home, out six wide.
“Bet The House is tough, and he is brave,” said Voak, while Huston said: “He is the best three-year-old in WA. Bet The House is a superstar and I’m bullish about that claim, filly or colt. I haven’t seen any other do what he did tonight.
“I thought he would have to do a fair bit of work in the run. His recent work has been amazing, after recovering from a bit of a cold.
“Bet The House will now be set for the Western Gateway, the Battle Of Bunbury and the WA Derby.”
Bet The House, a gelding by American sire Betting Line, has earned $178,983 from even wins and five placings from 13 starts.
Ryan Bell, trainer of Waverider, said: “He was disappointing after looking he had the race shot to pieces. And then within a stride he just didn’t go. His heart rate was a bit higher than what it should have been.”
