A rails hugging ride from Jason Collett saw Bello score a narrow win in the Group 3 $125,000 Enviropacific Newmarket Handicap (1400m) at Newcastle today.
Bello continued his good form winning the Newcastle Newmarket Handicap. Photo by Steve Hart.
Former Kiwi jockey Collett was looking to follow Nash Rawiller on Laser Hawk as he started to make his move at the 300m but went back to the inside when the leader Famous Seamus moved off the fence.
Rosehill Guineas winner Laser Hawk looked to the have race in his keeping when he moved up alongside the heavily backed Mahisara but Bello proved too strong pushing up along the fence.
“Got all the favours up the rail there, got a soft run,” Collet said.
“I was looking to come out, push Laser Hawk out then that run opened up, I was pretty happy then.”
“Any winner’s good, but to pick up a Stakes company race like this is even better.”
Winning trainer Peter Snowden stepped Bello up to Group 3 company after the four year old had been racing in top form with two wins and a second from his last three starts.
Stable foreman Brad Widdup has ruled out any chance of Bello stepping up further in grade and a start in the Group 1 $2m BMW Doncaster Mile (1600m) at Randwick on April 20 is definitely not an option.
“Seven furlongs is about him anyway, but I’m not sure what Peter’s plans are now but that was a good grand final anyway,” Widdup said.
Widdup also praised the ride of Collett after the promising young jockey saved a lot a ground sticking to the fence throughout the race.
“Drew a good gate, it was a terrific ride, he waited. He’s a better horse with a bit of cut in the ground, it was a good win today,” Widdup said.
“He’s a terrific young rider and he’s going really well.”
Snowden’s other runner Raspberries ($9) with Glen Boss in the saddle was always back in the ruck and made up some ground in the straight to wind up in fourth spot.
Rawiller gave Laser Hawk ($11) every chance and the four year old travelled sweetly in third and fourth place just behind the speed but found Bello ($8.50) too strong in the run to the line.
Famous Seamus ($7) fought on well for third after setting the pace and the heavily backed Mahisara ($3 favourite) with Craig Williams died on his run to finished fifth.
