BELLARATA DESERVED THAT WIN
You don’t always get what you deserve in the racing game, but even the harshest critic would have to admit Bellarata thoroughly deserved her win at Lismore on Friday for the NSW Tycoons.
The five-year-old daughter of Pierata has had little go her way since joining the Matt Dunn stable, but she put that behind her at Lismore with a strong performance, hitting the line with plenty of purpose.
She’s still lightly raced, with just seven career starts for two wins and three minor placings, and this could be exactly the confidence boost she needs to go on with the job.
DUNN DELIGHTED
As we often say, winning races is never easy, and sometimes you need a bit of luck to fall your way.
In recent starts, Bellarata has been given the rough end of the pineapple, battling bad barriers and tough runs since joining Matt Dunn from the Waterhouse/Bott yard.
This time, things finally fell into place, and Matt was delighted to deliver a win for the NSW Tycoons and her new connections.
“She was great; congratulations on a really good win.
“Bellarata got the right run through the race and got to the right part of the track, where she was able to let down and show her class.
“She was excellent, and I was really happy with the way she finished the race off.
“Not everything went to plan; they did steady up in front of her mid-race, and she over-raced a bit when the tempo came out of the race. Despite that, she was very good late.
“In the end, it was an outstanding win and much deserved,” Dunn said.
GOOD BARRIER, GOOD RIDE
A good gate can make all the difference, and from barrier four, Bellarata began cleanly. With those drawn inside keen to hold their positions, apprentice Jett Newman did the right thing and eased her in behind the speed.
As Matt Dunn had explained pre-race, the inside section of the Lismore track was a no-go zone, so the field fanned towards the middle on straightening.
For one heart-stopping moment, it looked as though Bellarata might be luckless yet again, with nowhere to go.
But Newman stayed patient, a gap appeared and Bellarata showed plenty of courage to take it.
“She jumped out well; we wanted to be a little bit neutral on her after being dug up in her last couple of starts and not finishing off the way we know she can.
“We got cover, but the horses in front weren’t taking us anywhere, and I was on heels a bit.
“But she found a gap and took it within a couple of strides, and once she got through it, she really got to the line very well.
“Once we got the gap, she wanted to find the line, and she should improve off that now, being ridden a little bit less aggressively,” Newman said.
WHAT’S NEXT?
The good news is Bellarata has pulled up well, and Matt will take his time finding the right race for her next assignment.
There is a $50,000 Class 2 Plate over 1210m at Taree on Friday, October 16, which could be a suitable option.
With a confidence-boosting win now under her belt — and hopefully another decent marble — there looks to be plenty to look forward to.
Keep an eye on the owner reports for confirmation of her next assignment.
Good times ahead for Bellarata and the NSW Tycoons!