Mark Walker of Te Akau Racing continues to be astounded by what impressive filly Ohope Wins has managed in New Zealand over the past year, but he plans to contest this weekend’s $750,000 Vinery Stud Stakes strongly.
Belle Cheval will represent him in the 2000m Group 1 at Rosehill.
From her recent 1500m defeat to Well Written in The Kiwi, the Savabeel filly stretches out for the first time to 2000m, as Walker concedes Ohope Wins’ credentials while eager to match her post the distance cutback from New Zealand Oaks glory.
“We know that horse really well from New Zealand and they are coming back from 2400 to 2000, I’d rather be probably going 1500 to 2000,” Walker said.
“But she has got very good New Zealand form, that’s for sure.
“You don’t know until you go to Australia how the New Zealand form is going to measure up, but Belle Cheval’s run in The NZB Kiwi was really good.
“She is at 2000 metres first time, but she’s by Savabeel and most of them get that sort of distance.
“You don’t know until you try but at least as a three-year-old she should be able to manage it.”
Fifteen horses are entered for the Vinery Stud Stakes, including Belle Cheval and Ohope Wins, transferred to Chris Waller after her Oaks under Lance O’Sullivan & Andrew Scott.
Pairing with the $1.5m Tancred Stakes (2400m) with its 16 entries like Dubai Honour, Aeliana, Sir Delius, Vauban and Barnavara the Group 1 import, it highlights Rosehill’s Saturday program.
Belle Cheval’s record stands at six prior starts: third in Group 1 Thousand Guineas (1600m) Riccarton last spring, Group 3 triumphs at 1200m/1400m, and a close call in The Kiwi’s finish.
Post Vinery Stud Stakes, Belle Cheval ends her prep but eyes further Australian raids this year.
“She just has the one run then goes down to our Melbourne stable for three or four days and then we’ll send out her out for a spell,” Walker, who has an Australian base at Cranbourne, said.
“She’ll spell down on the Mornington Peninsula and then we’ll have back for spring racing in Melbourne.”
Walker flags the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) and Toorak Handicap (1600m) as likely Group 1 spring targets for her in Melbourne.
Check out betting markets for the race at leading sports betting platforms ahead of the Vinery Stud Stakes.