HOT HALF DOZEN FOR BEL

Will have to check with Bel Esprit guru, Brian Donohoe, but the mighty Bel may well have set a PB on Melbourne Cup day with six winners in five states.

Late in October, Bel Esprit registered five winners in day, but the first Tuesday in November saw Hot Lover (ex. Concluding by Kenny’s Best Pal) score at Morphettville (1050m) in South Australia, Ysmael (ex. Miss Exquisite by Western Symphony) win at Ascot (1200m) in Western Australia, Esprit Citi (ex. Citi Winner by Citidancer) and Thetoppie (ex. Sunday Bliss by Bubble Gum Fellow) notched up a double – both over 1300m – at Corowa in NSW, Sandhill Pride (ex. Can’t Miss by Broad Reach) won over 1200m at Kumbia in Queensland and Mattymac (ex. Waratta Gold by Success Express) lobbed over 2010m at Wangaratta in Victoria.

Interestingly, from the half dozen, there was a 3YO, a 4YO, a 5YO, two 6YOs and the 7YO first cropper, Thetoppie.

Three of the six have now scored four or more career victories, but perhaps the one to keep an eye on is the 3YO colt, Hot Lover, who was having only his second outing for Matthew Sayers after running fifth (beaten a length) on debut over 1050m at Morphettville, despite racing greenly throughout.

Ascot winner Ysmael