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Belle Du Nord wins 2018 Cal Isuzu Stakes Group 2 NZ$100,000 at Te Rapa (NZ), 1600m.
Group 1 placed at both two and three years, Belle Du Nord ran home strongest to beat some well performed mares here and gain her maiden stakes win.
She jumped fairly but soon drifted to second last, one out. Rider Vinnie Colgan sat patiently past the 600m then pulled widest into the straight.
Once balanced she went after the leaders, levelled up at the 150m, took over at the 100m then kept them at bay by a half length at the wire.
Lizzie L'Amour sat fifth, one out, from the 600m, looked to close in at the top of the straight but took a while to get going and was unable to match the winner’s stronger finish.
From second at the 500m Supera took over upon straightening but was caught at the 150m from where she battled gamely to hold third.
Love Affair had every chance from the 400m but was doing her best late to grab fourth.