Search

show me:

The wetter the better for Maher’s Bella

3 minute read

The prospect of a wet track at Randwick is music to the ears of Bella Nipotina’s supporters.

BELLA NIPOTINA.
BELLA NIPOTINA. Picture: Racing Photos

Connections of Bella Nipotina have welcomed the forecast for heavy rain in Sydney ahead of her rematch with benchmark sprinter Imperatriz in the T J Smith Stakes at Randwick.

Bella Nipotina has finished behind the Te Akau Racing star in all three starts this preparation but significantly, the runs have all been in Melbourne on firm tracks.

A wet surface is anticipated on Saturday and if the predicted amount of rain arrives, Ciaron Maher stable representative Jack Turnbull says Bella Nipotina will rocket into calculations.

"With the rain that is coming, it's probably going to level us up a little bit with Imperatriz," Turnbull said.

"It's going to be extremely difficult to beat her on a firmer track, but if the rain does come it's going to put us in the equation a lot more.

"The wetter and more rain-affected, the better.

"It's probably something they don't want, Te Akau, but it's something we're definitely looking for."

Bella Nipotina has three wins and a second from five starts on heavy ground and also boasts an outstanding record in Sydney where she has managed a top-three finish in seven of her 10 starts.

In comparison, Imperatriz has won half of her four starts on heavy tracks, although she hasn't raced on one since she was beaten into fourth as an odds-on favourite in the 2022 Tarzino Stakes in New Zealand.

She will also be chasing her first victory in Sydney, her only previous appearance at Randwick resulting in a narrow second to Artorius in last year's Canterbury Stakes.

Imperatriz has built an imposing overall record of 19 wins from 26 starts and is a solid $3.10 favourite for the T J Smith Stakes (1200m).

Bella Nipotina ($13) has also been a wonderful horse for connections, notching seven wins and 20 placings from 46 starts, prompting Turnbull to describe her as one of a kind.

"She is one of those once-in-a-decade racehorses, you just don't get them as often these days," Turnbull said.

"She has obviously got a bit of wear and tear naturally now, but those soft tracks play into her hands."

The T J Smith Stakes will also feature the resumption of top galloper I Wish I Win ($4), who hasn't raced since finishing runner-up in The Everest and returns to Randwick hoping to defend his crown in Saturday's sprint feature


Racing and Sports

Randwick

Saturday, 06th April 2024

7
15:55
(local)

JAMES SQUIRE T J SMITH STAKES (G1)

Type: OPEN
AUD $3,114,500
1200m TURF HEAVY
7
15:55
(local)
AUD $3,114,500
1200m HEAVY

JAMES SQUIRE T J SMITH STAKES (G1)

Type: OPEN


FP Silk Horse, Age & Sex
Sire & Dam
Jockey
Trainer
SP
WT
1st 14. CHAIN OF LIGHTNING (AUS) 5yo M
FIGHTING SUN (AUS) - MAGIC ART (AUS)
DAMIAN LANE
PETER G MOODY & KATHERINE COLEMAN
$21
56.5kg
Ramsey Pastoral Pty Ltd (Mgr: S B Ramsey)
2nd 9. BELLA NIPOTINA (AUS) 6yo M
PRIDE OF DUBAI (AUS) - BELLA ORFANA (AUS)
CRAIG WILLIAMS
CIARON MAHER
$11
56.5kg
M Christian, Ms S Miller, Mrs P Christian, A Ingersole, M Johnston, Porter Pelchen Bloodstock (Mgr: W Pelchen) & B Christian

Sales Information

3rd 1. I WISH I WIN (NZ) 5yo G
SAVABEEL (AUS) - MAKE A WISH (NZ)
JAMES MCDONALD
PETER G MOODY & KATHERINE COLEMAN
$4.2
58.5kg
M J Chittick & P G Moody
4th 8. IMPERATRIZ (AUS) 5yo M
I AM INVINCIBLE (AUS) - BERIMBAU (AUS)
OPIE BOSSON
MARK WALKER
$3.5
56.5kg

Sales Information

5th 11. SUNSHINE IN PARIS (AUS) 4yo M
INVADER (AUS) - ZENAIDA (NZ)
JASON COLLETT
ANNABEL NEASHAM
$6.5
56.5kg

Sales Information

6th 10. ESPIONA (AUS) 5yo M
EXTREME CHOICE (AUS) - DAHOOIL (NZ)
NASH RAWILLER
CHRIS WALLER
$17
56.5kg

Sales Information

7th 13. MAGIC TIME (AUS) 4yo M
HELLBENT (AUS) - TIME AWAITS (AUS)
MICHAEL DEE
GRAHAME BEGG
$10
56.5kg

Sales Information

8th 7. JOHNNY ROCKER (AUS) 4yo H
JUKEBOX (AUS) - MARGENE (AUS)
MARK ZAHRA
NICK RYAN
$31
58.5kg
9th 6. BUENOS NOCHES (AUS) 4yo H
SUPIDO (AUS) - KOI (AUS)
BEN MELHAM
MATTHEW SMITH
$26
58.5kg

Sales Information

10th 15. WILLINGA BEAST (AUS) 4yo M
SNITZEL (AUS) - TIME CHECK (USA)
DYLAN GIBBONS
KRIS LEES
$201
56.5kg

Sales Information

11th 3. MAZU (AUS) 5yo G
MAURICE (JPN) - CHATELAINE (AUS)
TIM CLARK
JOSEPH PRIDE
$21
58.5kg

Sales Information

12th 5. AFT CABIN (AUS) 4yo H
ASTERN (AUS) - SHELTERS (AUS)
ZAC PURTON
JAMES CUMMINGS
$16
58.5kg
13th 4. COAL CRUSHER (AUS) 6yo G
TURFFONTEIN (AUS) - MEDIA ACADEMY (AUS)
TYLER SCHILLER
JOSEPH PRIDE
$31
58.5kg

Think. Is this a bet you really want to place?

For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit www.gamblinghelponline.org.au