Trainer Mark Walker is adopting a careful strategy with the talented mare Bellatrix Star as she nears her racetrack comeback, given his past experiences with the horse over the last two seasons.
Her anticipated return is scheduled for this Saturday in the prestigious $200,000 Group 3 Sir John Monash Stakes, to be held at Caulfield.
This 1100-metre weight-for-age contest marks Bellatrix Star’s first appearance since concluding last in the Listed Doveton Stakes in November. Prior to that, she finished unplaced in the Group 1 Champions Sprint over 12 months ago.
Having previously been the runner-up to Switzerland in the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes, Bellatrix Star has not yet reached the lofty heights Walker envisioned for her as a mare. However, he retains optimism that the now rising five-year-old still has more to offer.
“We’ve had a lot of problems with her and she’s been off the scene for a long time,” Walker stated.
“She had an accident coming home from the swimming pool, she fractured her neck when a loose horse ran past and she reared up and fell over.
“We got her over that, then she had her first start back and she chipped a fetlock and had to go for fetlock surgery.
“That’s just racing, you take the good with the bad. She’s still very lightly-raced, so if she ran well on Saturday, hopefully we get things back on track.”
Bellatrix Star boasts five victories from her 12 starts, most notably securing Group 2 wins in the Eclipse Stakes (1200m) in New Zealand and the Schillaci Stakes (1100m) against older competitors before her Coolmore Stud Stakes run.
The Star Witness progeny has undergone a measured preparation, which included two trials and two jumpouts. Her most recent jumpout at Cranbourne last Monday saw her achieve a commanding two-length victory over Midnight Devil and Pinstriped.
Craig Williams, who partnered Bellatrix Star for her Schillaci Stakes triumph, was also on board for her latest workout. Walker views it as a significant positive that the premiership-contending jockey will continue to ride her on raceday.
“It was encouraging that Craig rode her in the jumpout and he’s riding her raceday, so that gives us a bit of a push,” Walker commented.
Bellatrix Star was among 19 nominations for the Monash Stakes. Her potential competitors include Matt Smith’s accomplished gelding Headwall.
The Sir John Monash Stakes at Caulfield on Saturday is shaping up to be a thrilling contest. Punters looking to get involved can explore the best Australian betting sites for competitive racing odds.
