Tuscan Sling held-off a fast-finishing Azkadellia to deliver trainer Darren Weir his fourth win at Caulfield this afternoon in the 2016 Bellmaine Stakes.
Tuscan Sling was the fourth winner of the day for trainer Darren Weir in the Bellmaine Stakes at Caulfield. Photo by Ultimate Racing Photos.
Weir started the day with a victory in The Big Screen Company Handicap (1800m) and he took out the Group 2 Autumn Stakes (1400m) with Mahuta and the Group 3 Carlyon Cup (1600m) with Burning Front before Tuscan Sling finished a big day for the stable with her Bellmaine Stakes win.
Jockey Brad Rawiller picked up the ride on Tuscan Sling in the Bellmaine Stakes because he could not make the weight to ride Felicienne and she delivered him his third victory of the meeting, but he was quick to pay credit to the training performance of Weir and Tuscan Sling’s regular rider Harry Coffey.
“Well done to Darren Weir and the team at both Ballarat and Warrnambool,” Rawiller said.
“They deserve all the credit, they get the horses there and give me such great support.
“Well done to Harry, Harry has done so much with her, he won on her last time and I sort of fluked the ride today.
“He does so much for Darren and the team as well.”
Weir has had plenty of problems with Tuscan Sling since she made her racing debut in November of 2014 and he admits that the Danehill Dancer mare can still be a tricky customer to deal with, but has been happy with her form this preparation.
Tuscan Sling is yet to be tested over 1400 metres, but Weir confirmed that she will be given an opportunity over the extra distance in the Group 3 Mannerism Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on February 27.
“When she balanced up she really let down well and Brad got her into a nice position,” Weir said.
“She is starting to do things better, she has been a terrible horse to train really.
“She is very hard manners wise, but she is starting to get better at getting into the barriers and she is starting to put it together now.
“I am really keen to see her over 1400 where she can maybe control the race and get that toughness late.
“She will run out a strong seven furlongs for sure.
“The boys down at Warrnambool have the horse in great shape and everything went right for once.”
Talented mare Azkadellia drifted late in the lead-up to the Bellmaine Stakes and she loomed up as the winner at the 100 metre mark, but she died on her run late and could finish no better than second.
