BEL’S TROIS

Super Saturday for high Eliza Park’s pinup, BEL ESPRIT, with a two state double (Belfast Boy and Royal Steal) and a game second (Beltrois) in the Group Three Bobbie Lewis at Flemington.
Having just his sixth start for trainer Gordon Richards in the Schweppes Tonic Handicap over 1000m, Belfast Boy opened around $17 on the tote before firming into $6 at start time. Someone’s made some dough because the issue was never in doubt with Belfast Boy careering away to win by two.
Belfast Boy won at Oakbank in March before being sent for a spell and resumed in a stakes race at Morphettville on 31 July before a fourth over the 1050m at Morphettville on 21 August.
Belfast Boy has now returned almost twice his asking price as a yearling and clearly has a promising future.
Bred by Peter Macvean and TROA Chairman Andrew Lafontaine, Belfast Boy is out of the Bureaucracy mare, Fast Dolly and hails from the family of UK great Brigadier Gerard.
Royal Steal also recorded his second victory with a handy win over 1300m at Fannie Bay on Saturday (3 September).
A full brother to the brilliant Esprit de Roses, Royal Steal is out of the Rubiton mare, Coming Up Roses – a sister to Group Two winner Innovation Girl – Royal Steal was bred by Alistair and Patti McFarlane’s Tori Park Stud.
However, the most notable performance on Saturday came from the ultra-consistent Beltrois, a gallant second to one of the land’s best sprinters in Doubtful Jack in the Bobbie Lewis over 1200m.
Beltrois has only once finished out of the top four in 17 career outings and won the Doveton Stakes-LR on 9 January having earlier finished a half length second to Royal Ida in the Standish Handicap-G3 on New Year’s Day.
Since the Doveton, Beltrois ran third at Caulfield, was unplaced at Caulfield, fourth in the Goodwood Handicap-G1 (beaten just over a length) at Morphettville, third – first up – in the Aurie’s Star-G3 at Flemington on 7 August and second on Saturday.
Bred and trained by Robbie Griffiths at Cranbourne, Beltrois is out of the Noalcoholic mare Vaingt Trois, and owners include Shiranee Griffiths, Brian and Peter Donohoe and Don Healy.
With over $340,000 in stakes, you’d be happy with one just like him in your back yard.

Beltrois