Consecutive G3 Victories For Savabeel’s Belle Cheval

With the $4 million NZB Kiwi (1500m) next on the agenda for Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson’s Belle Cheval, the 3yo SAVABEEL filly could not be in better form, adding Saturday’s G3 Uncle Remus Stakes (1400m) to her last start G3 Almanzor Trophy (1200m) victory.

Jumping away one of the sorter-priced runners of the meeting, jockey Opie Bosson needed to ensure he didn’t get too far back in the run and after initially settling towards the tail from gate 12, the decision was made to move forward, and although the pair were three wide, they had cover.

When the field headed into the home turn, Bosson asked Belle Cheval for an effort and she responded, working up to chase down the leaders and at the 200m hit the leader, before holding off Ace High’s Panther to record a neck victory.

“You couldn’t have asked for anything better,” Bosson said. “I was three deep the whole way but I had cover, I just didn’t want to be too far off them turning in and once she balanced up she attacked the line nicely. She is a really good filly going forward.

“She will appreciate the step up in distance (in the NZB Kiwi). She is going to be very competitive.”

Reece Trumper, Te Akau Racing’s assistant trainer, was impressed with the performance ahead of the lucrative NZB Kiwi.

“She was meant to run last Saturday at Matamata but wet conditions forced us to scratch her,” he said. “She worked well during the week and she is just going from strength to strength. She keeps on improving, which is fantastic to see, she is building the right way.”

Set to represent slot holders The King’s Men, Belle Cheval is the second favourite for the $4 million NZB Kiwi (1500m) to be held on March 7.

Bred by prominent racing identity David Archer, Belle Cheval is a half-sister to his former three-time G1 winner The Bostonian, and he races the filly in partnership with his partner Diane Wright and children Simon Archer and Natalie Micarone. 

One of 157 stakes winners for her Champion Sire, Belle Cheval is a half-sister to not only The Bostonian, but also G3 winner Cheval D’Or being the third stakes-winner among eight winners from terrific producer Keepa Cheval, who is also the grand-dam of G1 winning $4.3million earner Kovalica.