6 Win Saturday - Inca Belle Bounds Home

Keeping alive her unbeaten record, Inca Belle (3 f Per Incanto - Belle Vie, by Darci Brahma) resumed with victory in the Matamata Veterinary Services $30,000 3YO 1200 metres on Saturday at Tauranga.

A debut winner over 1100 metres on 8 November at Pukekohe,  Inca Belle rose in class to win the 3YO 1200 metres on 26 November at Wanganui, before having a break. After finding the line in a trial on 7 March at Rotorua, she secured the hat-trick.

Having won previously on good and soft footing, Inca Belle had to endure Heavy10 footing but in the end she had the resolve to prevail.

Riding by Te Akau apprentice Joe Kamaruddin, who was aboard for the first two wins, Inca Belle got back in a small field, had to overcome a check when looking to work clear on straightening, but pinned her ears back to win drawing away by one and a half lengths.

She ran 1200 metres in 1:15.2 and as race favourite paid $1.90 & $1.40 on the NZ TAB tote. 

“It was another good effort to win and she's got a nice future,” said trainer Mark Walker. 

“She was bought quite cheaply by Dave (Ellis), she knows how to win, and the Cambridge Breeders' Stakes will be her main aim.”

The $85,000 Cambridge Breeders' Stakes (Gr. 3, 1200m) is contested on Saturday 29 April at Te Rapa.

Inca Belle was purchased by David Ellis CNZM and John Galvin for $50,000 at the 2021 NZB Ready To Run Sale, from the draft of Phoenix Park, and is owned by the Fortuna Inca Belle Syndicate (Mgr: John Galvin). 

Te Akau previously trained a half-brother to dam Inca Belle. Purchased as yearling by Ellis, Equinox (Exceed and Excel - Our Ella Belle) won four races and finished second in the El Roca-Sir Colin Meads Trophy (Listed, 1300m). 

The family has been nurtured by Pencarrow Stud since (Sir) Peter and the late Philip Vela bought her fourth dam, Heidi Belle (Copenhagen 11).

“She's from the famous Belle family, so there are quite a few of the Melody Belle owners that have come into her as well,” Galvin said.

“She can't do better than winning her first three starts and that's very good for a filly that was moderately priced ($50,000), 

“She learnt a bit in the race as well, after getting into a scrimmage at the top of the straight, she forced her way through and went to the line a dominant winner.

“She will probably have one or two races before the (Cambridge) Breeders' Stakes, being six weeks away.

“We were going to take her to Wellington last Saturday, but she blew a bit after her Saturday gallop a week ago and Mark (Walker) said it's a long way to take her if she's not quite right.

“So, he said to give her a trial and push her back a week, and as always he seems to get these things right.

“She's looked good coming through the grades, but it's not until you get up against the big guns that you can really determine their quality.”

Inca Belle was strapped by Shaun Magee. 

Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz