Winner: G1 Australian Glory Belle Cheval

Revenging a narrow defeat in the NZB Kiwi, Belle Cheval (3 f Savabeel – Keepa Cheval, by Keeper) won the A$750,000 Group 1 Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m) on Saturday at Rosehill Gardens in Sydney.

Belle Cheval had stormed home for an unlucky second (nose) in the $4 million NZB Kiwi (Restricted Listed, 1500m) on Champions' Day (7 March) at Ellerslie, and has fashioned a terrific record: three wins, second, and two thirds, from six starts, including victories in the Group 3 Almanzor Trophy (1200m) and Group 3 Uncle Remus Stakes (1400m), and she was placed in the Group 1 NZ 1000 Guineas (1600m).

Ridden by Zac Lloyd, who a week earlier won the A$5 million Group 1 Golden Slipper (1200m) aboard Guest House (Home Affairs), Belle Cheval drew barrier two, received a sweet trip in the trail, was clear early in the home straight and although a touch wayward, was able to win by a nose.

There was a protest, second against first, for alleged interference in the straight, which was dismissed.

“She’s still a bit raw and you saw in the NZB Kiwi that she was a bit unlucky to get beat,” Lloyd said.

“It was good to see her show the fight. She’s obviously got a fantastic turn of foot, but for her to also have that grit is a valuable asset too. 

“It’s very good to have ticked the 2000-metre box with her, which opens up a lot of options. She’s a very good filly and a massive thanks to Mark Walker and her owners for letting me ride her.”

A race that had been won by Kiwi trained fillies in two the last three renditions, Belle Cheval became the 14th Group One winner for Te Akau in Australia, since Gingernuts (Iffraaj) won the Group 1 Rosehill Guineas (2000m) in 2017.  There were of course others prior including Darci Brahma, winner of the group 1 TJ Smooth in Brisbane.

On Soft7 footing, Belle Cheval ran 2000 metres in 2:05.9, last 600m in 35.5, and paid $3.40 & $1.20 on the NZ TAB tote. 

“It was a terrific win by Belle Cheval and it's testament to the stables in New Zealand and Melbourne,” said trainer Mark Walker. 

“Everyone has been working so hard throughout the season and to win Group One races in Sydney and in New Zealand on the same day is fantastic for the whole operation and all the owners that support us.”

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.

“We have to thank David (Archer) and Diane (Wright) for entrusting us to train such a beautifully bred filly,” Walker added. 

“It’s already been a special ride in what she’s achieved this season alone, and I think the makings of the filly was in the spring when we sent her to the South Island to our stables at Riccarton for a 1000 Guineas' campaign and she came back a much more mature filly.

“It’s a very special day for the entire Te Akau operation, out at Te Akau Stud where Karyn and Dave live, and the three stables, to have two Group One wins. 

“Obviously it wasn’t ideal to have to win the race back in the (Stewards) room, but it wasn’t my first rodeo in the inquiry room, that’s for sure, and once I saw the head on footage then I was reasonably confident that she’d keep the race.

“But it’s still a nerve-wracking process to go through, no matter the level of race, and we were all pleased to see the inquiry dismissed.

“She’s a beautiful filly Belle Cheval, still lightly raced, and with the continued improvement she’s made all season to culminate with a Group One win in Australia, I think she’s a filly that has a lot of ahead of her. 

“She’ll be on the float down to our stable at Cranbourne (Melbourne) tomorrow (Sunday), where we’ll trot her for two to three days, let her down quietly, and then she’ll go to the paddock for a break and prepare for spring racing in Melbourne.”

Belle Cheval is from the same family as dual New Zealand Horse of the Year Mufhasa (Pentire), bred and raced by Archer, along with his partner Di Wright and his children Simon and Natalie.

Mufhasa became a household name in racing circles before retiring in 2013, winning 20 times, 10 of those at Group One level, including two at Caulfield (Melbourne) and also finishing runner-up in the Group 1 George Ryder Stakes (1500m) at Rosehill. 

A daughter of race winner Keepa Cheval, Belle Cheval joined half-brother Bostonian (Jimmy Choux), a triple Group One winner, as winners at the highest level, while the mare has also left Group 3 Championship Stakes (2100m) winner Cheval D’or (Almanzor), among eight winners of 27 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) of course left Mufhasa, the pride and joy for the Archer family. 

Watching the race from the Inglis Sales grounds in Sydney, ahead of the Australian Easter Yearling Sale on 29 & 30 March, Te Akau principal David Ellis CNZM said: “I flew over with David and Di and they were very excited to be represented by such a good filly in the Vinery Stud Stakes, so for her to win this elite race for them it is just incredible.

“David has been a very astute investor and breeder for a long time and we were fortunate to have been chosen by them both to train her.

“We’ve had a lot of success with progeny of Savabeel, which wasn’t missed in their decision to chose Mark and Sam to train her, and she’s a filly that has just gone to another level every time she’s stepped out to race.

“It’s such a good family they’ve bred her from and I think she’ll be right up to the best in Australia when she’s a four and five-year-old.”

Ellis has selected, bought, and Te Akau has trained, more Group One winning and Group winning progeny by Savabeel than anyone else.

Belle Cheval joins a list which includes Group One winners now at stud: Embellish, Cool Aza Beel, and Noverre, and other Group One winners: Probabeel (4), a dual NZ Horse of the Year, Prise De Fer, Amarelinha (NZB Filly of the Year), Hall Of Fame, Sword Of Osman, Skew Wiff, The Perfect Pink, and a host of other stakes winners by the remarkable sire.

“I’d also like to congratulate all the team and our loyal owners who make this happen,” Ellis added. “To win two Group One races on the same day – one apiece in New Zealand and Australia – is fantastic, and it’s something we’ll certainly celebrate.

“We recorded our 100th Group One win when Return To Conquer won the Group 1 Sistema Stakes (1200m) last March at Ellerslie, and now we’re up to 105, so it’s very pleasing, and also great for Opie (Bosson) to have got his 100th this year and he’s now on 102.”