Bel Esprit Sensational in Return

Saturday, 17 August 2002 00:00

Champion colt Bel Esprit is on target for a lucrative spring carnival after making a stunning return to the track with a three length demolition of a high class field in today’s listed Mitchell McKenzie Stakes (1000m) at Moonee Valley.

Having his first start since his unlucky fifth in the Golden Slipper in March, the strongly built son of Royal Academy was fast out of the barrier and from that point the result was never in danger.

Macedon Lodge stable foreman Geoff Dixon said he couldn’t have been more happier with the three-year-old'’ return.

"I was very pleased with that," Dixon said moments after the victory. "We pretty much expected him to come out and do that, but it’s just nice for it to actually happen."

Dixon has been in charge of the training of Bel Esprit, last season’s Blue Diamond Stakes winner, while head trainer John Symons has been holidaying in New Zealand. Symons returns home tomorrow.

"It’s going to be a nice welcoming home present," Dixon said with a smile.

Dixon said the colt was only about "85% fit" for today and there was still plenty of room for improvement. This was reaffirmed by today’s rider Nash Rawiller.

"There’s heaps of improvement in him," Rawiller said. "He gave me a good feel during the race and he was very impressive."

Bel Esprit defied a significant betting drift in the ring, where his price "blew" from $1.50 to $2.10, to win the race in dashing style.

He will have his next start in the $125,750 Group Three HDF McNeil Stakes (1100m) at Caulfield in a fortnight before tackling the older horses in the Group One Manikato Stakes, back here at Moonee Valley. After those two races Bel Esprit will be aimed toward the Caulfield Guineas, a race connections feel is definitely within his reach.

"I’m certain he will be able to get 1600 metres," a confident Dixon said.

At the post Bel Esprit held a three length advantage over the Australian bred and Hong Kong trained Able Choice, who made some handy late ground to please connections.

Trainer John Moore said after the race that the son of Lady Jakeo would head toward the Ascot Vale Stakes on his way to an expected return clash with Bel Esprit in the Caulfield Guineas.

The champion of his age in Hong Kong, Able Choice tasted defeat for the first time in his now four start career. He is owned by a brother to the Chairman of the Hong Kong Jockey Club.

Of the other horses Yell managed to grab third place ahead of the previously unbeaten youngster Titanic Jack.

The result would have been an ideal result for the handicapper, if he could have claimed to have weighted the horses. However with the race being a set weight and penalty affair the placings were decided on performance and prizemoney.

PICS - Quentin Lang.