Belle Couture, the half-sister to equine superstar Black Caviar, is one step closer to making her racing debut after finishing second in a jump-out at Flemington this morning.
Black Caviar's half-sister Belle Couture made her first public appearance in a jump-out over 800 metres at Flemington this morning. Photo by: Race Horse Photos Australia
Belle Couture, with Melbourne Cup winning jockey Damien Oliver on board, contested the seventh jump-out of the morning over 800 metres and finished second behind an unknown Anthony Cummings-trained horse while being kept under a heavy hold.
The daughter of Redoute’s Choice was the slowest of the six horses in the trial out of gates but quickly kicked up into second position and was kept wide for the entirely of the 800 metre trip, while the eventual winner took the short cut on the inside.
Trainer Danny O’Brien is confident that Belle Couture can have her first race start next month and told TVN that he was pleased with the performance of the three-year-old.
“It was her first ever jump out so it was a lot about just learning,” O’Brien said.
“Apart from being a bit slow out of the gate, it was pretty good.
“She mustered speed, travelled pretty easily and Damien Oliver was very positive about her.
“Really, I could not have asked her to do any more.
“She’s got a bit more to learn, but hopefully she will be at the races in December.”
Belle Couture’s impressive performance has come as much needed good news for owners BC3 Thoroughbreds, who purchased the filly for $2.6 million, as their other purchase from the famous Helsinge family Jimmy remains locked in a battle for his life after being bitten by a spider just under three weeks ago.
Jimmy, who was purchased for $5 million, contracted laminitis while being treated for the spider bite and this time last week part-owner Simon Marshall revealed that the expensive colt was only a fifty/fifty chance to survive.
Marshall, in a post on Twitter earlier this week, said that Jimmy was eating well and happy within himself after getting through the weekend; with no major changes to his condition in the past 48 hours.
“Had a chat with Jimmy today he remains comfortable with no change in his condition,” Marshall posted on Twitter.
“Excited that his big sis had a jumpout at Flemington.”
