The Kelso Wood – Chris Munce winning combination continued at Ipswich today when Belltone took out the Listed $175,000 City Of Ipswich Eye Liner Stakes (1350m).

Chris Munce has guided Belltone to a win in the Eye Liner Stakes at Ipswich - photo © Daniel Costello

The pair teamed up with two year old Sizzling in winning the Group 1 $500,000 Patinack Farm T J Smith (1600m) at Eagle Farm last week and the Group 2 $250,000 Al Basti Equiworld BRC Sires’ Produce Stakes(1400m) at Eagle Farm on June 2 and also won earlier in day with Grey Assignment.

Munce was at his best on Belltone and had the six year old travelling sweetly just behind the leaders midrace before easing out coming to the home turn and giving him a clear run to the line.

The premiership winning jockey had to ride hard over the concluding stages to hold off the strong finish of the heavily backed Jetset Lad with last year’s  Eye Liner winner Adnocon running home for third.

Wood has always had a high opinion of Belltone since he entered his stable and predicts that a Group 1 win is not beyond him.

“I’ve always had a lot of confidence in him and he will probably win a Group 1 race,” Wood said.

“I’ve got horses like Sizzling and Zero Rock and many others and its good to go to the races with the confidence that they are really going to put in and run a good race.”

Wood will now head to the Sunshine Coast in two weeks with Belltone for the Listed $175,000 Reed Property Group Glasshouse Handicap (1400m).

Today’s win was Belltone’s sixth win for Wood and he has shown over the Winter that he can mix it with the best when second on an unsuitable heavy track to Celtic Dancer in the Group 2 $175,000 Brisbane Racing Carnival QTC Cup (1300m) at Eagle Farm two weeks ago.