Waller Import Included In Belle Of The Turf Nominations

Imported mare Gosh is a chance of making her Australian racing debut at Gosford on Friday after she was included in the nominations for the 2015 Belle Of The Turf Stakes.

She's Clean is one of three Chris Waller-trained horses that have been included in the 2015 Belle Of The Turf nominations. Photo by: Adrienne Bicknell

She’s Clean is one of three Chris Waller-trained horses that have been included in the 2015 Belle Of The Turf nominations. Photo by: Adrienne Bicknell

Gosh made her racing debut under the care of Pia Brandt in France and she stamped herself as a horse to watch with an impressive two lengths win in the Prix De La Mare Elan (1900m) at Deauville in December of 2012.

The Peintre Celebre mare started her 2013 racing season with a poor performance in the Prix Finlande at Longchamp in April, but she returned to winning form with back-to-back victories in the Prix Des Pouliches (2200m) at Lyon and the Prix Sea Bird at Deauville before she made her debut at Group level with a third place finish in the Group 3 Prix Minerve (2500m) on August 11.

Gosh finished the 2013 racing season with credible performances behind the likes of Quiz Mistress and Norse King in the Prix Des Tourellles (2400m) at Chantilly on September 10 and the Prix Scarmouche and she was purchased by Australian-based connections after she finished fourth behind Spiritjim in the Group 3 Prix D’Hedouville at Longchamp on May 8.

The five-year-old made her first public appearance in Australia when she finished at the tail of the field in a barrier trial over 740 metres at Warwick Farm on March 30 and she was given another quiet trial at Rosehill Gardens on December 23.

Even if Gosh is not included in the Belle Of The Turf field, Waller is still set to be represented in the Group 3 event after also including Mamwaazel and She’s Clean in the nominations.

Mamwaazel has not recorded a race win since she took out the Hyland Race Colours Handicap (1400m) at Rosehill Gardens in May, but he returned to her best form with two second place finishes behind Peace Force in her past two starts, while She’s Clean has gone 18 months without recording a race win.

Rodney Northam-trained Myamira took out the 2014 edition of the Belle Of The Turf Stakes and she will have the chance to become the first horse to win the race in back-to-back years, but she has not finished in the placings in her six race starts since she took out the South Grafton Cup (1600m) in July.

Buffalo Chase, Commanding Wit, Crooked Stick, Mary Lou, Miss Espresso, Peace Force and Sunday Too Far were also included in the Belle Of The Turf Stakes nominations.

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Thomas Hackett

Thomas is a passionate and opinionated racing journalist and punter who has been obsessed with horse racing since he backed Saintly to win the 1996 Melbourne Cup. An international racing enthusiast, he has his finger on the pulse of racing news not just from Australia but all around the world.