Shades Of Bella well backed in Juanmo Stakes

The Darren Weir trained Shades Of Bella has been well backed in early betting for the Listed $100,000 Designline Graphics Juanmo Stakes (1200m) at Eagle Farm on Saturday.

Shades Of Bella has been well backed in the Juanmo Stakes at Eagle Farm. Photo by Ultimate Racing Photos.

Shades Of Bella has been well backed in the Juanmo Stakes at Eagle Farm. Photo by Ultimate Racing Photos.

The proven wet tracker has firmed in from $13 when the final field for the fillies and mares race was declared on Wednesday to be on the third line of betting at $8.50.

In a wide open betting race, the John O’Shea trained Alucinari heads the market order at $7 just ahead of the top weight Sultry Feeling at $7.50 with local mare Tina Melina sharing the $8.50 line with Shades Of Bella.

Shades Of Bella is the winner of five of her fifteen starts and broke through for a Saturday win last start at Caulfield in a 1200m Mares Handicap three weeks ago.

Weir said that her win at Caulfield earned her a chance to chase some black type for the stud book if she can win or be placed in the Juanmo Stakes.

The leading Victorian trainer has been pleased with the way the Bel Esprit mare has settled in in Queensland and her wet track record of two wins and a third on a soft track and a third in the heavy will definitely help her chances.

“The wet brings her into the race a bit more,” Weir told racing.com.

“She is a Saturday winner now and we are trying to chase a bit of black type. With the wet ground, drawn a good gate, got up here in good shape so hopefully she get in the money and get a bit of black type.”

Dean Yendall was aboard Shades Of Bella for her last start win at Caulfield he gets the ride again and will be able to give her every chance from barrier six in the large field.

The favourite Alucinari is coming off a last start win in the Listed $140,000 Coolmore Denise’s Joy Stakes (1100m) at Scone on May 14 while the James Cummings trained Sultry Feeling is dropping back from Group 1 company after running twelfth to Precious Gem in the Group 1 $400,000 UBET Classic (Registered as Robert Sangster Stakes) (1200m) at Morphettville on May 7.

Juanmo Stakes market order at Ladbrokes.com.au: $7 Alucinari, $7.50 Sultry Feeling, $8.50 Tina Melina, Shades Of Bella, $9.50 Serenade, $11 Echo Gal, Miss Tenpins, $12 Miss Cover Girl, $14 Madotti, $16 Secret Saga, $17 Adorabubble, $18 Traveston Girl, $21 Sagaronne, $26 In A Wink, $31 Dame Destiny, Golden Mineshaft, $101 Rumeron.

About The Author

Mark Mazzaglia

Mark is a passionate journalist with a life-time involvement in the racing industry. He spent many years as an analyst and form expert at the Courier Mail and also has hands-on experience working with some of Queensland’s top trainers.