Wishing Belle triumphs again in the Champagne Stakes

Star local filly Wishing Belle (Bettors Wish) gave yet another polished performance with a gutsy win the SEFS $50,000 Champagne Stakes for two year olds at Gloucester Park last night.

Despite a disappointing field of only five runners it was expected that the Aiden De Campo trained Wishing Belle would find stern opposition from Chugach who had won her only two appearances prior to last night.

WISHING BELLE MAR 21 REPLAY CHAMPAGNE STAKES

Deni Roberts on Chugach had no intention of surrendering the early lead to Wishing Belle and the latter was able to take a sit behind the leader. Driver Trent Wheeler eased out with just under a lap to travel and was content to race alongside Chugach.

Chugach had been well rated in the lead and in running his second quarter in 31.2 seconds looked to have plenty in the tank as he and Wishing Belle drew away from the other three runners along the back straight.

Chugach gained a break on straightening but then Wishing Belle knuckled down to the task in grand style and the striking black filly had just over a metre to spare from Chugach with Aiden De Campo’s other runner Copper Fine over 50 metres away in third position.

Trent Wheeler expressed his gratitude to Aiden De Campo.

“She’s a very nice filly. Aiden’s got a pretty good eye for them. He fills you with a lot of confidence and a lot of instructions.”

“He knows he’s got the horse right and she was right again tonight. She’s a beautiful little horse. It doesn’t matter if you chase her off the gate, she dropped the bit and we sat in behind.”

“We ran it from the 900 metres both two year olds are pretty good.”

“I thought Deni tried to drop me off around the corner but like last week once we straightened up she was really able to put it in.”

In just her four appearances to date, Wishing Belle has netted over $87,000 in prizemoney and she has shown herself to be amongst the top group of early two year olds.

By Tony Milanese for Harnesslink