Boxing Day Win 3 - Belle En Rouge Bags her Group 2

A dream run continued for Belle En Rouge  (3 f Burgundy - Cavendish Belle, by Thorn Park) when taking out the $120,000 Jamieson Park Eight Carat Classic (Gr. 2, 1600m) on Boxing Day at Ellerslie.

She produced a terrific third to stable-mate The Perfect Pink (Savabeel) in the 1000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m), a race which also delivered a Te Akau first four, on 13 November at Riccarton.  She was then freshened to win the Eulogy Stakes (Gr. 3, 1600m) on 11 December at Awapuni on her 'way home' north, and has now taken the  lead in the New Zealand Bloodstock Filly of the Year Series with another stellar performance.

Given a smart ride by stable jockey Opie Bosson, Belle En Rouge camped outside the leader, in effect dictating terms, and she proved far too good in the straight.

“That was the plan and we got some easy sectionals, pretty much from the start to the 600m and quickened up from there,” said Bosson, accurately appraising and enabling final 600m in slick 34.4.

“I had a couple of rides on her in track work and she's so unassuming. She only does what she has to and stays with the other horse no matter what speed you're going. She's so laidback and is a good filly.

“She seems to switch off in her races. You can put her anywhere you want to and that will help stepping up in distance.”

The same trainer/rider combination won the Eight Carat last year, with eventual NZB Filly of the Year Amarelinha (Savabeel), and Belle En Rouge will attempt to emulate those feats.

Given a busy schedule, Belle En Rouge will have reprieve before preparing for the David & Karyn Ellis Fillies Classic (Gr. 2, 2000m) on 12 February at Te Rapa, a move that has already proved successful with her break between 1000 Guineas and Eulogy Stakes.

“I was hoping she wasn't starting to put the white flag up,” Richards said. “She left a little bit of feed early in the week and we changed things round a bit. I'd been happier with her the last few days, but she's been busy.

“She's been to Riccarton, back to Palmerston North, and up here, so we'll give her a bit of time now. She's done a really good job.

“She's a homebred by Dave and Karyn, she's got really good owners involved in her and we are thrilled to get a Group 2 win for a homebred filly.

“We'll probably go to the bosses' race at Te Rapa, and you take some confidence that Dummy's (Kevin Myers) horse won the New Zealand Cup (3200m). He (Mondorani) was by Bugundy and we'll put her on an Oaks' path until she says that's not the right way to go.

“She eats and sleeps and does everything right and we'll push on while we still can.”

Belle En Rouge provided Te Akau their fourth Eight Carat Classic victory, following Amarelinha, Shikoba and Spin ‘N Grin.

Owned by Te Akau Beautiful in Red Racing Partnership (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM), Belle En Rouge was bred by David Ellis CNZM & Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM.

Her sire, Burgundy (Redoute's Choice), purchased as a yearling by Ellis, won five stakes' races before standing at stud and having his first three two-year-olds to race win on debut.

Out of a Thorn Park mare, Belle En Rouge is from the family of smart gallopers Filante Etoile (Soviet Star), Valbuena (Darci Brahma), and Star Dancer (Starwatch).

“She was a really nice homebred weanling and Karyn syndicated her among a terrific group of owners,” Ellis said. “She's run in four stakes' races for two wins and two thirds and she's giving us all a massive thrill.

“By Burgundy, one of my all-time favourites and a horse that's doing an amazing job at stud, and Jamie and his team at the stable have been quite bullish about her.

“Jane" (as Belle En Rouge is known) is in Nicole Shailer's barn and another one she's taken under her wing and is doing a great job with.

“It was a great ride by our stable rider Opie and the third time he's won the Eight Carat for us. He's got his weight so right, is very fit, and is really enjoying his riding. He's a freak and we're extremely fortunate to have him riding for us.”

Belle En Rouge was strapped by Nardia Zainal.

Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz