New Plymouth trainer Robbie Patterson had a perfect two-from-two day at Wanganui on Saturday, capped by potential black-type contender Belles Beau (NZ) (Iffraaj) in the Loaders Civil (1340m).
Patterson had only two horses entered all weekend, and both of them produced impressive performances at Wanganui – Ma Te Wa (NZ) (Time Test) in the Hirepool 3YO (1340m) and Belles Beau in the day’s open sprint.
“Two wins from only two runners is a really satisfying day, and I think they were two good performances by a couple of very progressive geldings with bright futures,” Patterson said.
Saturday marked the first appearance in open company for Belles Beau, who had made a good impression in recording three wins and three placings from his eight previous starts.
Patterson admitted to some concerns with Belles Beau leading into this week’s $40,000 assignment, but the four-year-old Iffraaj gelding was sent out as a $4 favourite and produced a performance that quickly put Patterson’s doubts to rest.
Belles Beau was confidently ridden by Kavish Chowdhoory, who allowed him to slide forward around the outside of the field coming down the side of the track.
The favourite swooped past Bradman (NZ) (Pins) to take the lead at the home turn, and the result was in little doubt from there. Carrying 4kg less than the gallant topweight, Belles Beau pulled ahead and kept him at arm’s length all the way down the straight. He had a half-length margin up his sleeve at the finish line.
“Belles Beau missed a gallop leading into this race and I was a little bit concerned that he might blow out,” Patterson said. “For him to beat a good open handicap field the way he did, in only the ninth start of his career, was a very good effort. He’s got a lot of ability and upside and is such a straightforward horse to do anything with, so I’m looking forward to what’s in front of him.”
Bred and raced by Eddie and Nicola Bourke and Allan Piercy, Belles Beau has had nine starts for four wins, three placings and $84,895 in stakes. Patterson now has his sights set on the $120,000 Sinclair Electrical & Refrigeration Opunake Cup (1400m) on his home track on July 19.
“I’ll talk to Eddie (Bourke) before making any plans, but I might be tempted to go straight into the Opunake Cup without another run now,” he said. “If he came out and won another race in between times, he’d pick up a bunch more points and have a bigger weight in the Opunake Cup.”