Inca Belle Goes Bang

Given an economical trip by Champion Te Akau apprentice Joe Kamaruddin, Inca Belle (3 f Per Incanto - Belle Vie, by Darci Brahma) recorded a debut victory in the $14,000 NZB Ready To Run Sale 16 & 17 Nov Maiden 1100 metres on 8 November at Pukekohe.

Good through trials' stage and having finished strongly for second in a trial on 4 August at Te Rapa, the placement and timing by trainer Mark Walker was exemplary and the race set up perfectly.

Easy from a wide gate (9), Inca Belle improved on the inner while a five-wide rush in front passing the 700 metres helped matters. On straightening, she accelerated quickly into contention at the 400m and saw the race out like a filly capable of further.

Adding to that, her breeding would suggest likewise given her impressive winning (1400m - 1800m) grand-dam Our Ella Belle (Encosta de Lago) was a Group Three winner and Group One placed, and she was also trained by Mark Walker.

“It was a lovely ride by Joe, he saved all the ground and then came out and it was a good effort by the filly on debut,” Walker said.

“She hadn't trialled since August, which shows the benefit of our jump outs' system at Matamata. She'd only had a jump out since and it's great when you can use them on the home track like trials.

“I think she'll improve for both the experience and the run and gain confidence as well.”

On Good4 footing, Inca Belle ran 1100 metres in 1:03.8, last 600m in 33, and paid generously ($11.10 & $2.80) on the NZ TAB tote.

The win also continued a rich vein for Little Avondale Stud leading stallion Per Incanto (Street Cry) whose mare Roch ‘N' Horse became his highest earner after winning the $3 million VRC Classic (Gr. 1, 1200m) last Saturday at Flemington.

Inca Belle was purchased by David Ellis CNZM and John Galvin 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).

Te Akau previously trained a half-brother to 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).

“She was slightly fractious in the barriers and jumped a bit slow, but Joe didn't panic and gave her a lovely soft run,” said Galvin, from the course.

“He got her out to the middle of the track and I was sure she was going to finish second, but she responded to urging over the last 50 metres and got the job done.  She's a neat, tidy, filly and to my eye she's pretty athletic and a good looker.

“It was interesting how she went into the race. After missing a trial through the abandonment at Avondale, she had a jump out last Friday and it was pretty good judgement by Mark (Walker).

“He said she did nothing wrong in the jump out and therefore entered her straightaway for the meeting today.

“She's from the Belle family, which gives us a nice link our Champion (Melody Belle), and we've all very pleased with a debut win.”

Inca Belle was strapped by Kendyll Lee.

Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz