Undoubtedly registering career-best form over an impressive 2014 campaign, Elite Belle has been confirmed to line up for her final appearance on track this year in Saturday’s featured Group 2 C.B. Cox Stakes (2100m) at Ascot.
Elite Belle is set for another showdown with Mr Moet (pictured) in the 2014 C.B. Cox Stakes. Photo: Race Horse Photos Australia
Finishing outside the places just once in seven starts this year, Elite Belle comfortably won the Group 3 Prince Of Wales Stakes (1200m) first-up this time, and while unlucky to be blocked for a run late when fourth in the Group 2 Waroa-Lee Steere Stakes (1400m) on November 8th, responded in the best way possible when breaking through for a maiden victory at the highest level in the Group 1 Railway Stakes (1600m) on November 22nd.
Having since placed a credible third in the Group 1 Kingston Town Classic (1800m) on December 6th, owner Bob Peters told Perth Racing he is confident of success in 2014 C.B. Cox Stakes for the Canny Lad mare, despite her never having won an event over a mile.
“She is coming on well, and she is probably going better this year than she was last year,” Peters said
“If you look at her record, she has never won beyond 1600 metres, but she has run well at these distances.”
Understandably thrilled with Elite Belle’s results over the 2014 racing calendar and career as a while, Peters revealed a trip east for the 2015 Autumn Carnival may figure for the classy six-year-old upon her racing resumption.
“We could look at that (going east), but I just want to get past Saturday first,” he said.
“She can’t run in the Perth Cup because she would get too much weight for a mare.”
Claiming nine wins and as many minor places from her 24 competitive appearances on course to date, Elite Belle was a standout for Peters and trainer Grant Williams over the 2013/14 summer season; finishing second in the Group 3 R.J. Peters Stakes (1500m) and taking out both the Listed Carbine Club Of W.A. Stakes (1400m) and Listed La Trice Stakes (1800m) most notably.
Running second in the Group 3 Roma Cup (1200m) first-up this year on May 17th, the mare out of Mississippi Belle perhaps gave her biggest hint as to what was to follow over summer when taking out both the Group 3 Belmont Sprint (1400m) and Group 3 Hyperion Stakes (1600m) in succession over late May/early June.
Elite Belle is currently available as outright second favourite for success in the C.B. Cox Stakes betting markets at a quote of $3.80 with Ladbrokes Australia.
