Belclare...what more can one say?

[Insider 5,170]

Belclare winning The Invitation at Royal Randwick for trainer Bjorn Baker. Photo: Bradley Photos

Connections of multiple Group One winner Belclare have savoured a bumper payday as the seven-year-old daughter of Per Incanto proved too strong in the $2 million Group 2 The Invitation (1400m) at Randwick on Saturday.

Under a positive Tyler Schiller ride, Belclare had most of her rivals gasping a fair way from home, and she sailed to a comfortable length and a quarter victory as the former Kiwi saluted at her third start for Sydney trainer Bjorn Baker.

“I’m very lucky to get this mare,” Baker said. “She’s a dual Group One winner in New Zealand. Lisa Latta is one of New Zealand’s best trainers so I’ve got a ready-made horse for the owners, Deb and Dave Woodhouse.

“They entrusted me with her. It’s been a bit of a learning curve but we got it right today. And this is the day that we wanted to get it right, so I’m very grateful.”

The expat Kiwi horseman was delighted to pull off a feature win with the mare he had been bullish about since joining his stable and will now consider the next plans.

“We’ll just have a good think about it but she was very good today,” Baker said. “She was able to dominate. She’s a very good mare, so that makes it easy. When you’ve got good quality bloodstock, she makes me look good. I’m very grateful to get the opportunity.

“She has beaten some absolute topliners. She said she’s up to it. And we know, Kiwis, they’re always strong.”

Raced by her breeder David Woodhouse, time had been called on Belclare’s racing career last season, with the two-time winner of the Group 1 New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeder’s Stakes (1600m) destined to be sold as a broodmare.

She was subsequently offered at Magic Millions’ National Broodmare Sale, where she failed to meet her $700,000 reserve.

While initially disappointed with the outcome, Woodhouse has now got good reason to smile as the $1 million first prize in the Australian Group Two advanced the mare’s career earnings to $1,934,780.

Belclare has now won 12 races, 11 of which were in the care of Awapuni trainer Lisa Latta.

By outstanding Little Avondale Stud sire Per Incanto, Belclare is the third foal from the O’Reilly mare Miss Rhythmic, a winner of one race and herself a sister to Luxe, who ran third in the Listed Taranaki Oaks Prelude.

They are out of the Keeper mare Gymnast who in turn was out of the champion filly of her year in Olga’s Pal, whose six wins included the Group 1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m).

[Insider 5,170]

Actually, I think that there is one hell of a lot more to say, especially how our races are thought of Internationally, especially from a Ratings point of view.

But in the meantime congratulations to Dave and Deb for having the guts to turn down the miserly offer for a dual NZ Gr1 winner of less than $700K and then bank A$1 Million + today.

You fuckin beauties!

Liz

[Chestnut 3,401]

I think this mare has stepped up a few steps though with Baker.  She does look like a mare with more purpose.

 

[Insider 5,170]

9 minutes ago, Chestnut said:

I think this mare has stepped up a few steps though with Baker.  She does look like a mare with more purpose.

 

Absolute rubbish. So typical of “down crying” everything about our trainers and our racing, and that’s not taking anything away from Bjorn.

[Chestnut 3,401]

5 minutes ago, Insider said:

Absolute rubbish. So typical of “down crying” everything about our trainers and our racing, and that’s not taking anything away from Bjorn.

What?   That's not taking anything away from her early foundations, she is a great mare and was trained to her strengths.    But I think there is a lot to say about preparing horses for racing on a completely different stage and that is Aussie racing, be it the crowd, be it the competition and more aggressive racing styles and to be honest the quality of the jockey's that you are racing against day in day out..   I'm surprised Liz at your response       

[Insider 5,170]

13 minutes ago, Insider said:

20 minutes ago, Chestnut said:

I think this mare has stepped up a few steps though with Baker.  She does look like a mare with more purpose.

It’s those very comments that I disagree with and I think are unfair to Lisa and the NZ Racing scene.
In fact it is thoughts like that, that continue to unfairly downgrade our people and our racing. Chestnut, I’ve been a great admirer of you, but in this instance I have to disagree because I am sick of being told that unless a horse performs in Australia (or in fact) is improved by an Australian trainer, it’s not up to the class!

[Chestnut 3,401]

2 minutes ago, Insider said:

It’s those very comments that I disagree with and I think are unfair to Lisa and the NZ Racing scene.
In fact it is thoughts like that, that continue to unfairly downgrade our people and our racing. Chestnut, I’ve been a great admirer of you, but in this instance I have to disagree because I am sick of being told that unless a horse performs in Australia (or in fact) is improved by an Australian trainer, it’s not up to the class!

Hmm.. that's odd.   As I see the NZ racing scene being the basis of this horse being what it is.   The class was realised here, the ability was enhanced and projected here, her confidence in what she could do was established here with Latta,  and that's amazing.   Just like Kiwi, or any others that have performed In NZ and gone across the Tasman, and that can't be taken away.     But in this instance, Belclare's whole approach, to horses around her, and her dominance around other horses in the parade and at the start was next level.    I don't care Liz if you want to berate me, maybe I focus on horses behaviour more than you do, I don't know, and to be honest, given that you have known me for so long to post this rubbish, so be it..  live long and prosper.  

[Maximus 788]

Now now ladies ...time to kiss and make up? 

[Ohokaman 6,465]

I thought she was a great bet yesterday, which is why I made her my BB in the comp.

Dual Group One winner at a trip she had terrific form at, blinkers off, and decent draw.

Congrats to the owners who took the punt sending her there and have reaped a decent reward.

And the multi with Bjorn’s other horse Iknowastar was very nice…. 

[TurnyTom 1,749]

Agree Dave, she was well over the odds 

 

[Insider 5,170]

3 hours ago, Maximus said:

Now now ladies ...time to kiss and make up? 

We have.

[Ohokaman 6,465]

 

[Peter R S 506]

Another wonderful example of Per Incanto whose influence has been huge in NZ for a decade, and who had made a name across the ditch and elsewhere too.

Got me going in breeding for which I remain very grateful.

I don’t think a “2 in a row NZTBS winner” has to improve any  to win as she did yesterday, just the time for the new trainer to understand her.

[Charlie E 668]

Well I was happy because I backed Tyler to win the Jockey Challenge and he ended up sharing the win . Funny thing was I thought to myself well Fawkner Park will win and Beclare won't be in the first 3 great judge I am lol . But what a great win by Belclare

[Alf Riston 2,142]

On 10/26/2024 at 10:19 PM, Insider said:

Actually, I think that there is one hell of a lot more to say, especially how our races are thought of Internationally, especially from a Ratings point of view.

But in the meantime congratulations to Dave and Deb for having the guts to turn down the miserly offer for a dual NZ Gr1 winner of less than $700K and then bank A$1 Million + today.

You fuckin beauties!

Liz

Spot the NZ horses 

https://www.ifhaonline.org/resources/WTRRankings/LWBRR.asp?batch=116

[racingoutsider 368]

2 hours ago, Alf Riston said:

Spot the NZ horses 

https://www.ifhaonline.org/resources/WTRRankings/LWBRR.asp?batch=116

Scarce eh?

[Insider 5,170]

32 minutes ago, racingoutsider said:

Scarce eh?

Tall Poppy syndrome that prevails in this country.

Simple but true.

We couldn't even hold the Americas Cup which we won again.

Go figure LOL

[Insider 5,170]

Belclare was pretty good today too. I think that it’s fabulous the way she is going over there, and she’s not even up to the 1600 m that she won the two G1’s at over here. 

[Chestnut 3,401]

6 minutes ago, Insider said:

Belclare was pretty good today too. I think that it’s fabulous the way she is going over there, and she’s not even up to the 1600 m that she won the two G1’s at over here. 

Yep she's going well, performing like a mare above herself and at another level     and, believe me, not taking away from anything she achieved in NZ ..  so no confusion    All horses grow and evolve in different environments.  I think she's enjoying racing in Aussie  

[MHC 49]

On 10/31/2024 at 8:29 PM, Insider said:

Tall Poppy syndrome that prevails in this country.

Simple but true.

We couldn't even hold the Americas Cup which we won again.

Go figure LOL

I suspect we could have held the America’s Cup, but northern hemisphere money was decisive.  Will be interesting to see how it all transpires for the next one, may come home.  Lake Wakatipu? No dolphins but maybe a Taniwha or two

[Chestnut 3,401]

I'd love to seem them all just go for broke down the Mighty Waikato  

[MHC 49]

I had exactly the same thought!  A bit quieter than the powerboats today

[Blaird 533]

14 hours ago, Insider said:

Belclare was pretty good today too. I think that it’s fabulous the way she is going over there, and she’s not even up to the 1600 m that she won the two G1’s at over here. 

Did I hear yesterday that she may go to Perth?, there is a Group 1 1600 there on 23 November.

[scooby3051 12,950]

2 hours ago, Blaird said:

Did I hear yesterday that she may go to Perth?, there is a Group 1 1600 there on 23 November.

Only thing is its hard as a road over there...not sure how she goes on rock hard tracks..but the Railway is the race I think.

[Ohokaman 6,465]

Another terrific front running win. 1.21.83 for 1400m gave nothing else a chance.
Bjorn has her flying, wait until she gets to 1600m.