Three Win Saturday - Belle of the Ball Brilliant Again

Recording her third win from four starts this season, Belle of the Ball (4 m Savabeel - Lady Tatia, by Duke of Marmalade) easily won the $30,000 Plough Hotel Rating 75 1600 metres on Saturday at Riccarton.

The third victory on the programme for Mark Walker brought about a milestone for the nine-time Champion Trainer, becoming his 150^thwinner at Riccarton.

It was also a fitting end to the day for Te Akau Champion Apprentice Joe Kamaruddin, who earlier guided stable-mate Rhetorical (Snitzel) to victory in the two-year-old race, before giving both Invincibeel (Savabeel) and Campionessa (Contributer) top rides for second in their respective assignments.

Following a gun run from barrier four, Kamaruddin was eager to source daylight entering the home straight, which came on cue, and the race was virtually over from the 300 metres as Belle of the Ball sprinted clear to win by two and a quarter lengths.

Under overcast skies, on footing that remained Soft6 throughout the day, Belle of the Ball ran 1600 metres in 1:37.3 and drifted in betting to pay $3.10 & $1.60 on the NZ TAB tote.

“She's an impressive mare on the way up and next start will be a black type race,” Walker said.

“She's certainly going the right way and another lovely Savabeel that Dave (Ellis) bought off Waikato Stud.”

After finishing runner-up in the Warstep Stakes (Listed, 2000m) in April at Riccarton, Belle of the Ball ended last season as one of the best Maiden gallopers in New Zealand, but quickly atoned for the status with a hat-trick of wins.

The flurry of victories now sees Belle of the Ball with a high enough rating to contest the Spring Classic (Listed, 2000m) on 22 October at Riccarton, while she also holds a nomination for the Coupland's Bakeries' Mile (Gr. 2, 1600m) on the middle day (9 November) of Cup Week, won last year by stable-mate Markus Aurelius (Ghibellines).

Owned by the Te Akau Belle of the Ball Racing Partnership (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM), she was purchased by David Ellis CNZM for $300,000 at the 2020 Karaka Book 1 Sale, from the draft of Waikato Stud.

By eight-time Champion Sire Savabeel (Zabeel), her dam Lady Tatia (Duke of Marmalade) won twice to 1850 metres and finished third in the Moonee Valley Classic (Gr. 2, 1600m).

Her dam sire, Duke of Marmalade (Danehill), was a Group One winner to 2400 metres, from an excellent family, and amongst his progeny was ultra-consistent seven-time winner Marmelo who finished runner-up in the Melbourne Cup (Gr. 1, 3200m) while also winning three 3000 metres races at Group Two and Group Three levels.

“I'm thrilled for the owners who have shown so much support for our patient approach.  They are now reaping such good rewards from this mare after her being very consistent and stakes' placed despite going winless last season,” Ellis said.

“She's really stepped up, loves the course, and looks a great chance of gaining valuable black type in the near future.

“To have had 14 wins from 31 runners at Riccarton this season is just incredible and we're extremely grateful for the efforts by all the staff there, headed up by Hunter Durrant.”

Belle of the Ball was strapped by Madi Munro.

Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz