BEL’S BELCINO BELAYS BENALLA

After his treble on Sunday, Bel Esprit didn’t have a winner on Monday, which probably had a lot to do with the fact he didn’t have a runner.
Still, the day off appeared to do Victoria’s Champion Sire no harm with Belcino – his 4YO from the Century mare Ciento – scoring by two lengths over 1206m at Benalla.
Although he is yet to win in the city, Belcino is – in many ways – the ideal horse.
Think about it for a minute. His earnings won’t provide a great team of owners – headed by Charlie Bugeja and Peter Lord – with a retirement plan any time soon, but he’s given them plenty of fun.
Bred by Charlie and Peter, Belcino was originally with John Symons and Sheila Laxon before switching to Steve Richards’ stable late last year.
Belcino won a trial as a spring 2YO and was then thrown in at the deep end with an eighth in the Merson Cooper Stakes-LR on debut, followed by terrific fourth to All American at Moonee Valley after hanging badly throughout.
Resuming in the May, Belcino won a thriller at Canberra and, along the way, has recorded a win at Wangaratta and two at Benalla.
This time in, Belcino has had a win and three placings from five starts and, all up, claims a record a four wins and three placings from 15 outings.
Plenty to cheer about!