Ciaron Maher confirms Bella Nipotina return
Ciaron Maher has expressed his excitement as Bella Nipotina, the six-year-old mare sired by Pride Of Dubai, gears up for her upcoming campaign, starting with Saturday’s Group 1 Black Caviar Lightning Stakes (1200m) at Flemington.
The talented mare, who spends most of her time at Maher’s Fingal property on the Mornington Peninsula, showcased her form by finishing second in a Cranbourne trial over 800 metres last week.
Reflecting on Bella Nipotina’s preparations, Maher revealed, “She was trained at a farm when she was in Sydney when she beat the Joe Pride horses (Private Eye and Think About).
“She was trained on the beach up there and she trains down at Fingal, which is our beach place down here.
“She likes that softer environment.
“She ran a slashing race last year and she’s just an honest mare.
“I’m rapt with her. She looks as good as she ever has, if not better and she trialled up pretty well.”