BEL STRIKES WITH ANOTHER DOUBLE

The win of Black Caviar at Moonee Valley on Friday night definitely set the stage for another big Bel Esprit weekend with Strike The Tiger (Launceston) and Belletrist (Sunshine Coast) notching up a two state double on Sunday (24 January).
Exciting 2YO, Strike the Tiger was having only his second start – after winning by eight lengths on debut over 1000m at Devonport on 6 January – and continues the amazing run of owner/breeders Dr Vu Van Tu and Amanda Lockett.
The pair recently notched up a stakes victory with Silver Bullion (another Bel Esprit) and could go very close to producing another with the Tasmanian summer carnival looming.
Sent out a $1.40 favourite, Strike The Tiger won as he liked with jockey Simon Maskiell easing the juvenile down on the line to score by two panels.
Strike The Tiger is out of the Straight Strike mare Bonnie Lassy, a half sister to multiple Kiwi SW Orange Walk and another NZ SW in Monarch Prince.
Strike The Tiger is also a direct descendant of the famous Dulcie, whose line has produced Balmerino, Surround, Purple Patch, Lord Hybrow, Beau Zam and My Tristram’s Belle.
Meanwhile, up in the Sunshine state and on the Sunshine Coast, Belletrist recorded her initial victory for trainer Troy Hall.
Although having raced on three previous occasions, Belletrist had not escaped the eye of serious punters and was sent out a $2.30 favourite, winning easily over the 1000m journey.
Bred by Doug Lomas’ Canungra Pastoral Company, Belletrist is out of the Roman Prince mare Lady Nickelii, a stakes winner in Queensland and runnerup in the QTC Sires’ Produce S-G1 at two. A half sister to Group winner Moods, Lady Nickelii is now the dam of four winners including Group Two placed 2YO Breezer.
Don’t be surprised – on the strength of her Sunshine Coast win – to see Belletrist in the city soon.