Belle du Nord on track for Gold Trail Stakes at Hastings

Belle du Nord
Three-year-old filly Belle du Nord (seen here running second behind Melody Belle) is on track for the Group 3 Gold Trail Stakes at Hastings this Saturday. Photo: NZ Racing Desk

THERE’S plenty of hype surrounding three-year-old filly Belle du Nord as it lines up in the Group 3 Gold Trail Stakes this Saturday.

The daughter of Reliable Man finished second in the Group 1 Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes last season behind Australian winner Melody Belle and all signs point towards a good run in the Hawke’s Bay co-feature this Saturday.

It was given a hit-out at Taupo in August where it ran on well for second as the $1.90 favourite, but it didn’t leave the barriers well and co-trainer Emma-Lee Browne wasn’t concerned with the result.

“She needed the run first-up, but it was good betting that run under her belt as an outing,” Browne told Horsebetting.com.au. “It was really instead of a trial.

“We decided to go there instead and she’s come through it really well.”

The $70,000 Gold Trail Stakes has attracted a quality field which includes Karaka Million placegetter Hasahalo and smart filly Astor. Browne is aware of the task at hand for Belle du Nord, but believes the likely favourite will cope with the pressure.

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“This race puts them in their spot,” she said. “It’s a good measure of where the fillies are and how they’ve come back this season.

“I think she should go well and I’m confident she should run a nice race.”

Its last two runs have come in slow track conditions, but with fine weather expected for most of the week in the Hawke’s Bay, a better track should be on the cards for the talented field of fillies.

“I’d say it will be perfect for her (a good/dead track). She has gone on wetter tracks, but she has a better turn-of-foot on better ground,” Browne said.

The ultimate target for Belle du Nord is the 1000 Guineas at Riccarton in November where it’s currently paying $8 at Sportsbet.com.au for the three-year-old feature.

“That’s what we’re working towards as our end goal,” Browne said. “At this stage we’ll through the next couple of races and then head down to Christchurch.”

Providing everything goes well this Saturday, Belle du Nord will likely have another run at stakes level to further prepare for the Guineas.

“We’ll either head to the Sarten Memorial at Te Rapa or the Soliloquy Stakes at Ellerslie, all going well.”

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