Taupo Win No.2 - Ocean Belle

Following the win by Miss Aotearoa (Per Incanto), things ramped up with debut winner Ocean Belle(4 m Ocean Park - Xanadu, by Elusive City) defeating Vamos Bebe (I Am Invincible) for a stable quinella in the $10,000 Waikato Stud Maiden 1100 metres on 12 August at Taupo. 

In a race where Vamos Bebe dominated favouritism, it was 18/1 shot Ocean Belle that stole the show after a positive ride by Sam Weatherley.

Although missing the kick slightly, he recovered Ocean Belle to work up second approaching the 600m and after putting the pedal down round the home turn she never yielded as Vamos Bebe closed to a short head deficit on the line. 

“She's a filly, or mare now, that has needed a little bit of time just to strengthen up and get it all together,” said trainer Jamie Richards. “She was probably ready to go before Covid hit, but she's by the right stallion out of a good mare and I'd like to give thanks to Robert Stewart, in Wellington, for giving her to us to train. He's been a good supporter.

“She's a funny mare to get a line on. She's not a great mover, she's not a great breather, but when she gets a set of blinkers on she can gallop. We'd been happy with the way she's been progressing, probably thought Vamos Bebe would be too good for her today but that's why there's racing and a winning post.

“They're both a couple of promising mares that have needed time to strengthen, and Vamos Bebe is probably looking for a bit further. But, they're each out of Group 1 winners, have nice pedigrees, and hopefully have a bright future in front of them.”

It was a stirring finish by the two mares and while Vamos Bebe brought the race and trial form to warrant favouritism there was enough to suggest Ocean Belle could make an impact from barrier two on better footing than she struck when recently finishing fourth to her rival at the trials on 14 July at Ellerslie. 

“They're both going to go on and win nice races this season, that's for certain,” said Te Akau principal David Ellis CNZM. 

“It was great to see the Taupo track in such good order after all the rain that we've had. They're a committee that work hard and being able to provide a track like they have has allowed the better horses to put their hands up and we've just seen all three of these horses with terrific pedigrees race really well.”

Owned and bred by Robert Stewart, John & Mike Gilbert, and Wessell Van der Scheer, Ocean Belle is the first foal out of terrific dual Group 1 winning mare Xanadu (Elusive City), winner of the NZ Thoroughbred Breeders' Stakes (Gr. 1, 1600m) and Windsor Park Plate (Gr. 1, 1600m). A patiently handled mare throughout her career, Xanadu won six races from 1200m - 1600m, placed an additional six times at Group 1 level, was Joint Top Filly on the 2012/13 NZ 3YO Free Handicap, excelled on a range of footing from Good3 to Slow9, and won over half a million in prize money. 

“It was a great ride by Sam (Weatherley),” Stewart said. “He put her in the race and made it easier for her. She's the first foal from the mare and great to get a first-up win. We're rapt to get that one under her belt and it takes the pressure off the trainer and the mare, and the owners - everybody wins.

“I've had some other horses with Jamie and done quite well with him training them. We wanted to keep and race the first foal from the mare and my suggestion to the others was for Jamie to train her. They all agreed and I now feel vindicated that we made the right decision.

“She's similar to her mother (Xanadu), who didn't have a great action either, but it comes down to ability and the heart, I suppose. It's good for the mare and we've retained this filly to keep as a broodmare later on. So, she's taken the first step and Ocean Park is on fire at the moment. He's had some very good mares and I think you'll see his winning tally getting better all the time.”

Ocean Belle was strapped by Ailish Greene. 

Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz

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