BEL ESPRIT – 10 IN 10 IN ‘10

Bel Esprit is flying! Not only has he notched up his 10th winner in 10 days in 2010, he has produced his 7th stakes winner in Beltrois and grabbed a double on 10 January with Rebel Truce and Dashing Spirit.
The Patrick Payne trained Rebel Truce got the ball rolling with a confident victory – as favourite – over 1200m at Warrnambool, notching up his second win and fourth placing from just nine outings.
Bred by Jim Mathews – who is also part owner of the 3YO colt – Rebel Truce is out of a stakes placed Encosta de Lago mare, Largo in turn a sister to Melbourne stakes winner Gazania.
It would appear the lightly raced colt has a big future and it wouldn’t surprise to see him in town again some time soon.
Dashing Spirit didn’t have things all his own way when competing in the Tooheys Handicap at Tamworth, but did manage to claw his way to a dead heat with Coercive Act.
According to Bel Esprit (below) statistician, Brian Donohoe, the Bel Esprits have now won 280 races, but this is the first time he can recall judges being unable to split the verdict.
Trained by Lew Hyson has also been placed three times this campaign, but this is Dashing Spirit’s first win since scoring on debut at Sale in April 2008.
Bred by Steven van Eyk, Dashing Spirit is out of the Marauding mare La Corsaire and is closely related to Arkansas Derby-G1 winner Hostage.