5 Win Saturday - Inca Belle Bolts

Debut winner Inca Belle (3 f Per Incanto - Belle Vie, by Darci Brahma) repeated the dose when prevailing in the $30,000 Platinum Homes 3YO 1200 metres on Saturday at Wanganui.

After winning the NZB Ready to Run Sale Maiden 1100 metres on 8 November at Pukekohe, Inca Belle was again ridden by Champion Te Akau apprentice Joe Kamaruddin and rose in class with distinction.

From a handy spot, Inca Belle ranged into contention turning for home and won a ding-dong battle with Papa Surf (Dalghar).  On footing upgraded to Soft7, Inca Belle ran 1200 metres in 1:13.0 and paid $2.90 & $1.40 on the NZ TAB tote.

Inca Belle was purchased by David Ellis CNZM and Fortuna Racing for $50,000 at the 2021 NZB Ready To Run Sale, from the draft of Phoenix Park, and is owned by Fortuna Inca Belle Syndicate (Mgr: John Galvin).

She provided Fortuna Racing with their second victory in the space of 20 minutes, after Soprano Supreme (Contributer) had obliged at Te Rapa.

“We've had two nose margin victories go our way, and the first nose was a bit bigger than the second,” said syndicate manager John Galvin.

“Inca Belle backed up her first win nicely. Obviously, not many win a Maiden and then win again next time out, but it's usually the sign of a promising type when it does happen.

“She looked as though she had the measure of her opponent with a couple of hundred metres to go. The other horse fought back, but I think Inca Belle is still a bit green, as well, and learning the trade.

“Inca Belle was a Ready to Run Sale purchase from last year. She's by a very good stallion and from the mighty Belle family, so it was very pleasing to get that sort of outcome, right across the board.”

The Belle family, referred to by Galvin, also produced dual Horse of the Year and Group One record-holder (14) Melody Belle (Commands), owned by Fortuna Racing.

The filly bred by Marie Leicester, purchased by David Ellis CNZM for $57,500 at the 2016 New Zealand Bloodstock Premier Yearling Sale, from the draft of Haunui Farm, retired the winner of 14 Group One races (19 from 41 in total) and $4.3 million prize money, before selling as a broodmare for $2.6 million.

Te Akau previously trained a half-brother to the dam Inca Belle. Purchased as yearling by Ellis, Equinox (Exceed And Excel - Our Ella Belle) won four races and finished second in the El Roca-Sir Colin Meads Trophy (Listed, 1300m).

The family has been nurtured by Pencarrow Stud since (Sir) Peter and the late Philip Vela bought her fourth dam, Heidi Belle (Copenhagen 11).

Inca Belle is a filly that could be capable of progressing over longer distances, given impressive winning (1400m - 1800m) grand-dam Our Ella Belle (Encosta de Lago) was a Group Three winner and Group One placed, also trained by Mark Walker.

Inca Belle was strapped by Stephanie Hyde-Richards.

Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz