BEL SHOES HALF IS PREMIER BOUND

Steve Richards can always manage to find himself an above average galloper and he didn’t have to extend his arm too far when going to $20,000 for the Bel Esprit filly Encosta de Lago mare Costa Grande at the 2007 Melbourne Autumn Yearling Sale.
That outlay has now been repaid some nine times over with Bel Shoes scoring her fifth career win when successful over 1000m at Moonee Valley on 13 December.
Steve’s managed to recruit a notable team of owners as well, including AFL legend Kevin Sheedy who raced both sire and daughter.
Hailing from the family of Opening Twist, Lemon Sorbet, How Proud, Berberia and co., Bel Shoes was bred by Brenda Hawking and Wayne Ross who will consign – via Eliza Park – a half brother (by Elvstroem) at the Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale in March … Lot 61 in fact.


Bel Shoes wins at the Valley (above) while owners gather to celebrate. Photos courtesy of Slickpix.