Group 3 Honours Again Belle Cheval

On her way to the NZB Kiwi, Belle Cheval (3 f Savabeel – Keepa Cheval, by Keeper) brilliantly won the $150,000 Group 3 Eagle Technology Uncle Remus Stakes (1400m) at Ellerslie on Saturday 21 February.

Impressive when winning the Group 3 Cambridge Stud Almanzor Trophy (1200m) on Karaka Millions' night (24 Jan.) at Ellerslie, Belle Cheval made it three wins from five starts, including third in the Group 1 NZ 1000 Guineas (1600m).

She will now attempt to emulate stable-mate Damask Rose (Savabeel), the $1.5 million TAB Karaka Millions 3YO (Restricted Listed, 1600m) winner who represented slot holders Te Akau Racing when winning the inaugural $3.5 million NZB Kiwi (Restricted Listed, 1500m) last year. 

The $4 million NZB Kiwi (Restricted Listed, 1500m) is staged on Champions' Day, Saturday 7 March, at Ellerslie. 

Worthy of favouritism despite drawing the outside gate (12), pickings looked slim early on for Belle Cheval when back and wide, but rider Opie Bosson edged forward to track three-wide inside the 900m, was able to drop in nicely at the 600m, and once presented in the straight she drew level at the 200m and got away in classy fashion over the concluding stages.

It was another great ride by the jockey, who recently posted his 100th Group One victory.

“I was three deep the whole way, but had cover and just didn’t want to be too far off them turning in,” Bosson said.

“Once she balanced up, she attacked the line nicely, and she’s a really good filly.

“You probably couldn’t ask for anything better as a trial for the NZB Kiwi and she’ll appreciate the step up in distance. She’s going to be very competitive.”

On Soft5 footing, Belle Cheval ran 1400 metres in 1:23.6, last 600m in 34.6 (approx.), and paid $2.00 & $1.20 on the NZ TAB tote.

“It was another lovely performance by the filly to win like that, and a good ride of Opie’s to get her three-wide with cover into midfield,” said Mark Walker, training partner with Sam Bergerson.

“He ended up getting quite a nice run from the 600m and it’s onwards now to the NZB Kiwi. 

“We’re thrilled to get another Group win for David (Archer) and Diane (Wright), and a two-week turnaround, she’s fit now and won’t have to do a great deal of work in the interim.”

Assistant trainer Reece Trumper, added: “She worked well during the week and she’s just going from strength to strength. She keeps on improving, which is fantastic to see, and building the right way.

“She’s still new and green, it was only her fifth start, she's won three to them, and she’s a pretty impressive type.

“To have a horse in the Archer colours in the stable is a thrill. I grew up watching Mufhasa and Bostonian, they breed and race very good horses. 

“David (Ellis) builds these relationships with people like David and Di, and big thanks to David, Karyn, and Mark, they’re the reason we get the opportunity to train fillies like Belle Cheval.”

A quality filly of the highest order by 10-time Champion Sire Savabeel (Zabeel), Belle Cheval was bred by Archer Investments, for owners D L Archer, S C Archer, N N Micarone & D J Wright.

Belle Cheval is a daughter of race winner Keepa Cheval, who produced 10-time winner Bostonian (Jimmy Choux), a triple Group One winner, and Group 3 Championship Stakes (2100m) winner Cheval D’or (Almanzor), among eight winners of 26 races. 

Another of her daughters, 1600-metre winner Vitesse (Makfi) is the dam Group 1 Queensland Derby (2400m) winner Kovalica (Ocean Park), who also won twice at Group Two level and a Group Three. 

Her second dam Sheila Cheval (Mi Preferido) left the pride and joy for the Archer family in Mufhasa (Pentire), the winner of 10 Group One races and dual NZ Horse of the Year. 

“We’ve been very lucky and had some great horses from the family,” Archer said.

“Belle Cheval is a little different, because from the early days we had been told that she was something pretty special.

“So, when you go into a race with a good horse it’s exciting, but when you’ve got one like this, where right from the start you’ve been told she’s a serious racehorse, you tend to hold your breath rather than get excited. 

“And today was another one of those moments. She drew the outside, which makes it tough, but we just wanted to see her perform again and she did. She’s a lovely girl and we just hope she stays well.

“We had six people chasing her for the NZB Kiwi, but locked her down early, so good on Cameron George and The King’s Men slot holders. We’ve got that to look forward to in the second year of what is an incredible innovation for New Zealand racing.”

Te Akau has now won the Group 3 Uncle Remus Stakes (1400m) seven times, with Wild Night (Vanbrugh) in 2022 the most recent prior to Belle Cheval. 

Belle Cheval was strapped by Rasheed Alam.

Photo credit - Kenton Wright - www.raceimages.co.nz