Savabeel filly wins the Australian Gr.1 Vinery Stud Stakes

A one-off raid across the Tasman proved a winning move for Waikato Stud-born filly Belle Cheval (ex Keepa Cheval), who captured the Gr.1 Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m) at Rosehill on Saturday in dramatic fashion.

Born and raised at Waikato Stud, the daughter of Savabeel was making her sole Australian appearance this preparation and in the process became the 36th individual Group 1 winner for the Waikato Stud legend, who inches closer to his sire’s record of

Bred and raced by prominent New Zealand racing identity David Archer, Belle Cheval is a half-sister to his former three-time Group 1 winner Bostonian. Belle Cheval has now won four of her seven starts, placing in a further three, while her career earnings have climbed beyond A$1.2 million.

After enjoying a lovely run in behind pacemaker Stand My Ground, Belle Cheval accelerated strongly at the top of the straight and quickly put a margin on her rivals. Fellow Kiwi Ohope Wins loomed as a danger out wide under James McDonald, however it was local fillies After Summer and Salty Pearl who charged late to make it a gripping finish.

As the trio reached the 200m mark, Belle Cheval shifted out into the path of After Summer, who in turn moved wider towards Salty Pearl before straightening again. Digging deep, Belle Cheval put her head down at exactly the right moment to deny After Summer by a nose, with Salty Pearl a short neck away in third and Ohope Wins close up in fourth.

The protest siren sounded shortly afterwards, but following a lengthy steward’s inquiry, the result stood in Belle Cheval’s favour, much to the relief of trainer Mark Walker.

“It was the NZB Kiwi photo all over again,” Walker said. “She just ran around a bit, but it was great for the filly.

“It’s a very special day, although I actually thought we got beaten, whereas I’d thought we’d won the NZB Kiwi.

“I was glad to see the photo.”

Walker was also quick to acknowledge the contribution of Savabeel, with Belle Cheval further enhancing his remarkable record at the elite level.

“She is by Savabeel, he’s been the perennial champion sire at home (New Zealand) for a long, long time,” he said.

“We’re going to miss him severely, as he’s getting on in years.

“But she is just a magic filly. She can have a nice break now and we’ll look forward to the spring.

“There will be no Oaks for her, she gets a rest.”

The victory also continued a rich run of form for Lloyd, who was delighted to secure a Group One success for Walker.

“To do it for Mark Walker (obtaining a Group One victory), a top New Zealand trainer, it’s very pleasing,” Lloyd said. “A big thanks to him for putting me on.

“My friend Wiremu Pinn, who lived with me for a bit when he was here, he let me know that she was coming over and I should try and get on her. So, thank you to Wiremu, I need to give him a bit of a managers fee for that.

“They still had to choose me and luckily and thankfully for myself they did.

“Obviously she was stepping up to 2000m but the race panned out beautifully, they didn’t go an overly strong gallop which I didn’t want for her.

“She quickened very well and I’m very surprised to see the horse I pushed out at the top of the straight (After Summer – 2nd) come back and nearly beat me because she quickened very well away from it.

“She showed a bit of fight, normally she’s known for her dazzling turn of foot whereas today she built and showed a bit of fight. She’s a good mare and it was a tenacious win by her.”