BEL ESPRIT - 8 IN 5

For all the copy generated by Black Caviar’s romp at Moonee Valley on Friday night – and doesn’t she deserve every bit! – it’s worth pointing out that she is just one of eight winners by Bel Esprit in the past 5 days.

Kicking off with a win at Geelong last Wednesday, Victoria’s Champion Sire produced a double on Thursday, another double on Friday (almost a Moonee Valley treble), a winner on Saturday and yet another double yesterday.

For the record …

• Hinchley Wood (ex. Sheeza Classic by Redoute’s Choice): unbeaten in 2 starts this time in.
• Twilight Reef (ex. Bold Reef by Kingston Mill) won over 1400m at Murray Bridge on Australia Day, while 3YO filly Unruly Princess (ex. Nas Princess by Our Poetic Prince) has won two on the trot and boasts 2 from 4 (plus a third).
• Black Caviar’s win in the Australia Stakes-G2 was complemented by Oregon Spirit (ex. Oregon Seal by Oregon) who notched up his third win in 19 days over 1600m at the Valley, having earlier won at Kyneton (8 Jan) and Cranbourne (20 Jan). He too is trained by Peter Moody. Actually Strike The Tiger, one of Bel Esprit’s 12 stakes winners, went close to making it a Valley treble when second over 1000m after having to shift out in the final 50m.
• Nifty 3YO Arturo (ex. Classy Darcy by Blazing Reality) was making his debut over 1200m at Donald on Saturday and now has one for one after a thrilling finish over 1200m. According to “Mr Everything-You-Need-To-Know-About-Bel Esprit-But-Were-Afraid-To-Ask” Brian Donohoe, Arturo notched up the 100^th win in Australia for Bel Esprit progeny this season.
• Yesterday it was the turn of Ted Huglin’s home bred, Belahi (ex. Manihi Miss by Ark Regal) who won the opening race at Werribee, followed by Strawberry Beau (ex. Danish by Danehill) who showed plenty of dash to win over 1400m at Pinjarra.

Bel Esprit (below) is now 4^th on the Leading Australian Sires’ chart by winners (with 75 individual winners for the season). Four seasons back he finished at 82 on the list … remarkable!