Prima Bella demonstrated a strong finish, thriving on a quick pace to secure victory in the Ranvet Handicap over 1000 metres.
Considered one of the most improved horses in training, Prima Bella is experiencing a purple patch of form, marking her third win in five starts this winter preparation.
“Prima Bella’s airborne,” Smith exclaimed. “When you get a mare in form, you have to keep them going. Look at Paul Cave’s mare The Mona Lisa, she keeps winning too. My mare has never been going better and I will have to look at a stakes race now because she is racing so well.”
Prima Bella, carrying a favourable weight of 52.5kg thanks to apprentice Mollie Fitzgerald’s 3kg claim, surged to win by slightly over a length. Amazing Eagle ($3.40 favourite) finished second, while early leader Beast Mode ($5.50) held on for third. Those who backed the winner would have been pleased with the value offered.
The Randwick track, upgraded to a Good 4 during the meeting, still saw Prima Bella record a swift time of 56.57 seconds, remarkably fast for this period of the year.
Smith indicated that Prima Bella might return to Randwick in a fortnight for a race such as the Group 3 Toy Show Quality (1100m).
“I’ve got Idle Flyer resuming that day but I might split the mares up and run her in the Show County Quality (Group 3 $250,000, 1200m),” Smith stated. “Prima Bella deserves her chance in a better class of race as she is in such good form and she handles wet or dry tracks.”
Idle Flyer, a previous winner of the Group 2 Emancipation Stakes and Group 1 Queen of the Turf Stakes at the end of her autumn campaign, has completed two barrier trials to prepare for her return, including a close sixth behind Matcha Latte at Rosehill on Friday.
Smith’s talented sprinter Headwall also edged closer to a racing comeback following an impressive third in Apocalyptic’s heat at Rosehill.
In other news, New Zealand trainer Lauren Brennan made her debut at Royal Randwick with her runner I Park, securing a win in the MyPlates Handicap (2400m).
I Park achieved his third career win from 21 starts, earning $82,500 for his Sydney Saturday success, a sum exceeding his earnings from the previous 20 starts combined.
“Our plan was to bring I Park to Sydney over winter and look for these 2400m races,” Brennan commented. “He’s got the win and I think we might take him home now.”
Ridden by Tim Clark, I Park ($12) battled strongly under pressure to defeat Le Troisir ($8.80) by a long head, with Elle Hudson ($4.40 equal favourite) a further length back in third.
Golden Century, backed into equal favouritism at $4.40, led for much of the race before fading to finish last.
For those keen to back the next promising galloper, explore the latest Australian betting sites for competitive racing odds.
