Te Rapa Exhibition - Belle En Rouge & Legarto

New Zealand Oaks (Gr. 1, 2400m) winner Belle En Rouge (Burgundy) had an exhibition gallop with 1000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m) winner Legarto (Proisir)  between races on Saturday at Te Rapa.

Bred by David Ellis CNZM & Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM, and owned by Te Akau Beautiful in Red Racing Partnership (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM), Belle En Rouge tied for the prestigious New Zealand Bloodstock Filly of the Year title last season with stable-mate Self Obsession (Shocking).

In doing so, Te Akau's tally of NZB Filly of the Year winners became eight.

Ridden by Opie Bosson, with Ryan Elliot aboard Legarto, they worked over 1000 metres on Soft6 footing, running the 800m in 48.4, and final 600m in 34.9.

Bosson was happy to give Belle En Rouge a pass mark, after she failed to handle heavy footing in the Counties' Cup (Gr. 3, 2100m). She is preparing for upcoming assignments in the $80,000 Open 1400 metres on Boxing Day at Pukekohe, and the $140,000 Rich Hill Mile (Gr. 2, 1600m) on 1 January at Te Rapa.

Photo credit: Trish Dunnell