La Bella Diosa set for Australian Oaks after Surround Stakes win
NEW Zealand raider La Bella Diosa has recorded an eye-catching win in the Group 2 Surround Stakes after kicking strongly in the straight under Kiwi jockey Jason Collett.
La Bella Diosa got a great trail into the race just behind short-priced favourite Global Glamour and cornered beautifully into the straight, kicking away and pushing strongly to the line to return $11.70 at WilliamHill.com.au.
We are loving the look of La Bella Diosa. The filly is a big E/W chance for us and we’re taking the overs #GetOn https://t.co/fVchLCQjKS
— Horse Betting (@HorseBettingAU) February 25, 2017
Chris Waller-trained Omei Sword closed from the back of the field in a stunning run to claim second and return $2.90 at Sportsbet.com.au while Global Glamour ($1.30 at WilliamHill.com.au) plugged along stoutly to round out the placings.
Jockey Josh Parr said he was surprised by the effort of Global Glamour considering it was headed a long way out from the finish.
“Was never completely comfortable on the heavy ground. I thought it was a tough effort to hold on for third considering I was beaten a long way from home.” Parr said in the aftermath of the race.
La Bella Diosa’s trainer Matt Brown said the race was set to be the beginning of a preparation for the Australian Oaks, but the horse delivered on its Australian debut.
“She has always shown a lot. She won the 1000 Guineas pretty well.” Brown said.
“The owners wanted to have a bit of a go at the Australian Oaks so we’ve come over early. To get a result like this is just great.”
“We weren’t really sure she would handle a track like that but obviously she did so it is all good.”
La Bella Diosa’s jockey Jason Collett said the horse breezed through the heavy track with consummate ease.
“She flew through it. She did it easily,” Collett said.
“I was a wee bit worried once I got her up over the rise but she had a kick. She is a classy filly.”
Brown said the next stop is Queensland before coming back to Sydney in preparation for the Oaks.
“The path is the race at Kembla Grange (Kembla Grange Classic) then perhaps to Rosehill for a 2000m race (Vinery Stud).”
“She is pretty classy.”