At 7 years of age, Bellinger is now a veteran but you could make an argument he’s in career-best form and now boasts an impressive overall record of 41 starts for 8 wins and 14 minor placings along with $400,000 in prize money.
Winning one race a preparation is hard enough, winning your first two of a prep is the stuff of dreams.
Well, those dreams became a reality for the Vic Husslers on Saturday, with their old warhorse Bellinger became a marvel, posting back-to-back wins by saluting at Morphettville.
EXPERT INSIDE MAIL PROVES LUCRATIVE FOR HUSSLERS
The “inside intelligence” that TRL Owners receive from their trainers proves invaluable particularly if you are having a bet.
Bellinger was actually nominated for 3 races heading into Saturday, including two at the standalone Ballarat Cup meeting. But once the final fields came out on Wednesday, the Hayes camp had to make a decision between Ballarat or Morphettville.
Ben Hayes summed up the thought process to head to the City of Churches beautifully to owners on Friday in his race preview.
“Morphettville looks like a nice race for him and when you look at the market the bookmakers agree I think he’s come up about a $3.80 chance. He’s won and been placed at Morphettville and is one of those horses that the float trip doesn’t really bother him.
“We have drawn a good gate in barrier 5, Jessica Tzaferis is a good rider and he maps to get a good run behind the speed.”
Ben got it absolutely spot on and Vic Husslers who took the advice were celebrating.
BELLINGER BUILDS A PROUD RECORD
Just like his win a fortnight ago at Caulfield, Bellinger was last on the corner at Morphettville and as the commentator articulated “the favourite has all the work to do back last.”
Well, work he did and to her credit, there was no panic from jockey Jessica Tzaferis who waited and once she straightened-up found the gaps and Bellinger did the rest.
“He was very impressive with how well he sprinted today and he did not get too many favours.
“It opened up enough for him to get through but he didn’t get a lot of galloping room, but he is a class horse and he ran really well today” Jessica said.
WHERE DOES BELLIE GO NOW
The great news is that Bellinger travelled back from Adelaide superbly well and has pulled up beautifully earning himself a little freshen-up before a target on January 4 at Geelong.
His win also shoots the Vic Husslers to handy lead in the battle for the $10,000 Cash for finishing on top of the TRL Ladder for Month 2 of Season 4.
“With his rating now it is getting a little tricky, it’s a rating of 85 so what we are going to do after travelling to South Australia we might go a month between runs and there’s a lovely benchmark 84 1100m or a 1400m, we will look at both and choose the most suitable.
“That’s on the big Geelong meeting and it’s worth $100,000 and we think it will be a good race for him to head towards.”
I think the Vic Husslers will agree.
Go you good thing!
