“Goodonya Bella, well done Zac.” There was only a small crowd at Nowra on a gloomy, drizzling Sunday afternoon. Still, most of them were NSW Tycoons who gave Bellarata and jockey Zac Wadick a nice reception on returning to scale after winning the opening event.

“Bella” is ticking a stack of boxes in saluting, and it also continues the Tycoons terrific start to Season 5 of TRL. That was win number FIVE for the Blues this season, with the Tycoons converting at 26% winners to runners – trust me, you would take that strike rate any day.

PATIENCE REWARDED AGAIN

Patience – as the great Bart Cummings always said, “Is the only thing free in racing but the hardest for an owner to have.”

Well done, NSW Tycoons, because you have certainly been patient with Bellarata.
Now a 4-year-old mare, she has had a stack of false starts, but has always shown something. Jockey Zac Wadick has some time for your 4-year-old mare.

“Really good for her to come out and do that today.

“Things did go our way, with a lot of scratchings, and she always looked to be the dominant leader.

“The best thing was the way she settled, because she’s been a keen goer in the past.
“She conserved herself well, and that allowed her to run the seven furlongs out.

“It’s a nice reward for her and also some patient owners, so that’s great,” Wadick said.

BOXES TICKED

Beauty is always in the eye of the beholder, but Bellarata deserves plenty of credit for that win. She was terrible on debut at Muswellbrook in mid-January, but we knew she was better than that.

Bella improved out of sight second-up with a rock-solid third placing at Goulburn when she set the pace and showed good fortitude to stick on over 1200m.
Gai and Adrian then decided to step her up to 1400m – she has now ticked that box. The win also came on a Heavy track – she has now ticked that box.
While it was a Maiden, her final 600m was the second fastest of the day, including a Class 4. So, that’s another positive.

WHAT’S NEXT

The good news is that Bellarata has pulled up well.
Gai and Adrian report that there are no immediate obvious options in the next fortnight, but don’t
be concerned, NSW Tycoons will be the first to know when a target is identified.
Go you good thing!