Kiwi filly Belle Cheval found herself in yet another blanket finish for consecutive outings, yet this time fortune favoured her as she thrust her nose forward at the decisive moment to secure the Group 1 Vinery Stud Stakes at Rosehill.
The three-year-old was narrowly defeated in an equally tight battle by Well Written in the NZB Kiwi (1500m) at Ellerslie on March 7, and although trainer Mark Walker conceded he misjudged both outcomes, he expressed relief at prevailing on Saturday.
"I actually thought we got beaten today, but I thought we’d won the NZB Kiwi, so I’m not a very good judge," Walker said.
Belle Cheval’s triumph in the Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m) delivered Walker a Group 1 victory spanning the Tasman Sea, following Seize The Day, trained jointly with Sam Bergerson in New Zealand, who earlier took the Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m).
He noted confidence in his filly’s domestic form lines to compete effectively in Sydney, supporting her resolve to tackle middle distances initially.
"The formline at home is really strong," Walker said.
Belle Cheval’s team always planned just a single appearance in Sydney and saw no reason to alter course post-victory.
Walker verified she would head directly to a break ahead of a spring preparation from his Victorian stable.
Having just piloted Guest House to victory in last weekend’s $5 million Golden Slipper (1200m), Zac Lloyd returned to the Group 1 enclosure astride Belle Cheval, though he faced a protest from Billy Egan on runner-up After Summer.
The pair made contact as Lloyd shifted off the rail entering the straight, but officials ruled the runner-up had edged inwards.
Belle Cheval ($2.60 fav), who wandered slightly late, caused no disruption to After Summer’s ($61) run, leading to the protest being overruled.
"Normally, she’s known for her dazzling turn of foot, whereas today she built and showed a bit of fight," Lloyd said.
"She’s a good mare, and it was a tenacious win."
Belle Cheval ($2.60 fav) prevailed by a nose from After Summer ($61), with Salty Pearl ($4.20) a neck further back in third.
New Zealand Oaks winner Ohope Wins ($2.70) was fourth, three-quarters of a length adrift.
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