MR. POPULAR … EAST AND WEST

BEL ESPRIT has ‘celebrated’ a highly successful sale in Perth with a resounding double at Ballarat yesterday: the Mick Price (left) trained Monte Bella winning her maiden by three lengths, while stablemate and fellow 3YO filly, Bellantina, raced away to score by nearly six panels.
With the closure of the Perth Magic Millions Yearling Sale’s first session, Bel Esprit had proven to be immensely popular with two of his colts – the first from Marwina mare Marscara and other from Miss Discretion (by Redoute’s Choice) – selling for $77,500 and $100,000.
Victorian trainer Jason Warren has ‘taken coals to Newcastle’ with his six figure outlay for the Miss Discretion, while the Marscara colt was snapped up by WA buyer, Bridge Patrol Lodge.
Back in Victoria, Mick Price notched up his 18th victory with Bel Esprit progeny (the most successful trainer to date) when firstly the Erinvale Investments bred Monte Bella (from the Festival Hall mare Rainbrow Trout) grabbed a cheque before Bellantina (also bred in partnership by Mick Price and from the Encosta de Lago mare Laurentina) posted her second win this time in.
Monte Bella is owned by leading bloodstock agent Bryan Muschialli, Glen Funnell and Ken Shelton, while M Conway, Janice Elliott, Robert and June Harding, Joe Luca and Caroline Price pay for Bellantina’s feed bills.