The first race at Randwick on Wednesday on the Kensington track was a very competitive 1400m maiden which was won in class record time by I Am Invincible filly Bella Rouge, who defeated Parlayed, an eye-catching daughter of American Pharoah (USA) that produced the run of the race.
Trained by Chris Waller and ridden by Jason Collett, Bella Rouge suffered cardiac arrhythmia at her previous start at Wyong on September 30 when finishing last, but showed no indication of that in this assignment.
She raced forward to take up a position and was kept going to the line to win by a head over the fast finishing Parlayed, who unleashed a powerful run down the outside after being last after turning for home.
It was the first win for Bella Rouge from four starts.
“She had no excuses today and was strong to the line to hold off that challenger,” said stable representative Charlie Duckworth.
“Hopefully she can take improvement from today and go on from here.”
A $600,000 Magic Millions purchase from the Yarraman Park draft for Waller Racing/Mulcaster Bloodstock/Raffles Racing, Bella Rouge runs for a big syndicate of Waller stable clients and carries the colours of part-owner Noel Greenhalgh.
Bred by Yarraman Park, she is the first foal of Choose, a Group III placed Starcraft mare from the family of Group I winner Bawalaksana and Group winners Damaschino, Shaaheq, Arbeitsam and Payroll.
Yarraman Park sold a full sister to Bella Rouge for $500,000 at Magic Millions this year to David Ellis/Andrew Williams Bloodstock and after missing the next year she has foaled again to I Am Invincible this spring producing a colt
The runner-up in the race Parlayed will be well worth following from the race and was a $300,000 Inglis Easter purchase for Hawkes Racing , who train the American Pharoah filly.
She is the first foal of Jolie’s Pearl, a winning sister to Group II winner Formality.
