BEL ESPRIT: NOTCHES THE TON!

It might have been a wintry Sunday at Cranbourne, but first starter Balavan has created history of sorts by becoming Bel’s Esprit’s 100th individual winner for the 2009-10 season.
Out of the Flying Spur mare Danure (and closely related to Danzero), Balavan was bred by A Basetti and is clearly above average, heading to the lead on turning for home and scooting away to win by three panels: by a lot more if jockey Peter Mertens was pushing.
According to Bel Esprit stats guru Brian Donohoe:

• Balavan is one of 36 Bel Esprits to win at their first start
• Balavan’s trainer, Tony Vasil, also trained Rich Forever – the second Bel Esprit to win in Victoria (18 January 2007)
• Of Bel Esprit’s 100 winners, 90 won in Australia, 5 in Singapore, 3 in Hong Kong, 1 in Macau and 1 in Korea