Northern targets await promising I Am Invincible filly I Am Belle following her debut victory in the Elmwood Trading Co. Two-Year-Old Premier (1000m) at Riccarton on Wednesday.
The two year-old filly jumped away well under Central Districts hoop Bruno Queiroz and raced three-wide throughout. Race favourite Zaharias looked the obvious danger at the top of the straight, but I Am Belle showed her grit to get her nose in front at the 200m and maintained her advantage to win by half a neck.
I Am Belle placed in both of her trials prior to her debut performance and trainer Andrew Carston was pleased with her natural progression.
“I don’t like to rush them in trials, I like them to learn something, and I felt she had improved from her first trial to her second trial,” he said.
“She has taken a little bit and she is a very unassuming filly, she just does what she has to do, but there is something about her I really like.”
I Am Belle was purchased by Carston out of Woburn Farm’s New Zealand Bloodstock Book 1 Yearling Sale draft earlier this year for stable client Glenn Ritchie for $260,000.
She was pinhooked from the Vinery Stud draft at the Magic Millions National Weanling Sale by Woburn Farm for $200,000 and is a three-quarter sister-in-blood to Group II winner Santos.
I Am Belle is the third winner from three to race from well related mare Ahbelle, a half-sister to Group winners Santos, Melagrana and to the dam of Group III winner Sebonack. Ahbelle has a yearling colt to follow by Brave Smash (Jpn).
Glenn Ritchie’s familiar silks have enjoyed success in Australia this spring on Group I MRC Caulfield Guineas winner Autumn Boy and also featured prominently in this year’s $1 million Karaka Millions 2YO (1200) when the Carston-trained Miss Ziggy placed behind La Dorada.
I Am Belle has put herself in good stead for qualifying for next year’s Karaka Million with Wednesday’s $37,375 winner’s cheque.
Carston has a high opinion of I Am Belle and said a northern campaign is inevitable.
“She has taken everything in her stride and I imagine she will continue to do so,” he said. “We might have to venture north at some stage, work our way up the Island and see where we end up.”
