Pike steers Elite Belle to victory
Quality mare Elite Belle made amends for her unlucky second in the Roma Cup to claim a career-best win in the $125,000 Belmont Sprint (1400m).
After being held-up at a crucial stage before running second to Magnifisio last start, Elite Belle capitalised on a perfect run in today’s Group 3 feature.
The easing $3.50 second favourite settled eighth and was taken off the fence by jockey William Pike as Settle Strada, Checkpoint and Grand Nirvana battled for the lead.
Pike brought the mare to the outside in the straight and she ran over the top of rivals to beat Kalahaar ($5.50) by two lengths.
Checkpoint, backed strongly into $2.80 favouritism, battled away after sitting outside of the lead to run third.
Elite Belle has returned in grand style from a successful Ascot summer carnival campaign, highlighted by feature wins in the Carbine Club of WA Stakes (1400m) and La Trice Classic (1800m).
Breeder-owner Bob Peters was thrilled with the Belmont Sprint victory.
“She was very unlucky last start and probably should have won,” Peters said.
“She made up for it today.
“With all of those horses going forward, she just got into the clear and got into the race easily.
“She’s come back from a tendon injury and it’s very good what she’s doing for us.
“She’s got a very fast final 600.”
Elite Belle will progress to the $125,000 weight-for-age Hyperion Stakes (1600m) in a fortnight.
The $125,000 WFA Strickland Stakes (2000m) is also under consideration for her.
Meanwhile, stewards upheld a protest from jockey Patrick Carbery to award Cool Trade victory over Trading Day in the WA Day Plate (1300m).
Trading Day, ridden by visiting apprentice Luke Dittman, led and shifted out at the 300m, bumping into Cool Trade.
Trading Day held off Cool Trade with a long neck separating the duo, but stewards overturned the result.
Carbery said Cool Trade was knocked off balance and his line was dictated by Trading Day shifting out.
“We feel the interference was in excess of the long-neck margin,” chief steward Brad Lewis said.
“Trading Day shifted out at the 300m and continued to shift out briefly.”
Trainer Alan Mathews said Cool Trade, who recorded her fifth consecutive victory, was galloped on both hind legs after she was bumped by Trading Day.
Mathews said the flying filly will be spelled.
Leading apprentice Ben Paterson is close to outriding his claim after a brilliant treble.
Paterson guided Cyclonic Halo, Saxy Grace and California Valley to victory.
He is within three city winners of losing his 1.5kg claim.
