NEWMARKET TOLL IN ELIZA TRIFECTA

Exciting Bel Esprit sprinter, Tollesprit is right on target for a tilt at the $1million Group One Newmarket Handicap at Flemington on 6 March following a resounding victory in the Schweppervescence Plate over 1200m at Moonee Valley on Saturday (13 February).
Interestingly, another Bel Esprit in True Persuasion finished second, while Dissolved – in which Eliza Park races in partnership – grabbed third.
Greg Irvine takes up the story:
A brilliant first up winner at Flemington a fortnight ago, Tollesprit was sent out the favourite and had plenty of punters cheering when he got his nose down on the line to score by a short half head.
The son of Bel Esprit, a $26,000 graduate from the 2008 Magic Millions Adelaide Yearling Sale, was suspect at the tighter Moonee Valley track – but as the class horses usually do, he proved too strong.
“I was a bit concerned because the Valley can bring some horses undone,” winning trainer Shane Fliedner said.
“He does take a little while to wind up. That’s why he is so well suited at Flemington.
“The first run (and win at Flemington) really tucked him up and while he could easily have been beaten here it really did fit into the pattern."
“But he needed to come here for the gallop.”
Fliedner said it looked at though his current stable star would head toward the Newmarket.
“The way the others are dropping off, it probably does suit,” he noted. “He’ll get in with no weight and the track certainly suits him. He’d be a good chance with a light weight.”
The Newmarket has always been on the radar for Fliedner following his close up eighth in a Group One at the same track late last year.
“After the Coolmore (Stud Stakes) in the spring I set him (Tollesprit) for these three races all along. So hopefully we’ll keep going.
“With the way the others are starting to drop away, I’ll just try and get this bloke him and keep him sound.”
Tollesprit is turning into an incredible money spinner for connections. The $26,000 buy at Morphettville has now earned over $220,000 from just 11 runs.
He also swept away with another Super Vobis bonus.
By the same sire as the sidelined boom filly Black Caviar, Tollesprit is one of four winners from his dam, the top producer Tolleranza.
An unraced daughter of Alzao, Tolleranza is the dam of the Flemington stakes winner Belle Ball, who in turn is the dam of stakes placed youngster Detroit Tiger.