Bridwood Bella’s stylish debut
• Bridwood Bella driven by Conor Crook stormed home to win her first race debut by 20 metres on Sunday night. Image by Stacey Lear Photography.
By Taylor Clyne
June 24, 2020
In an impressive track debut, locally owned filly Bridwood Bella stole the show on Sunday night claiming a 20metre win and race record at the Launceston Pacing Club.
Bridport owners Claire and Richard Hill purchased the bay brown filly at a yearling sale in New South Wales fifteen months ago, entrusting her with trainer Rohan Hadley.
Showing ability at her two trials earlier this month she stepped out in Sunday’s 1680m pace to easily claim the win and set a record for two-year-old Tasmanian pacers with a mile rate of 1.57.42.
“She has a smart head on her; when Richard saw she was one of the passed in lots at the sale he was able to negotiate with the owners and travel her down to Tasmania to begin education,” Trainer Rohan Hadley said.
“I really liked the look of her, and she’s shown great ability.”
Up and coming reinsman Conor Crook took the driver’s seat, easing her straight to the front for the mile journey.
“Because it was such a fast run race and she did it all by herself she will now have two-weeks rest to recover properly and plan for her second run in a months time.”
In the same race, Indianna Sanz put in a great effort for a third.
Race two of the evening saw the Grahame Hayes and Phillip Partridge owned three-year-old gelding Heza Sport run a competitive third place.
Trained by Rohan Hadley the Sportswriter Usa gelding led up and was ten metres clear on the bottom straight to only be claimed on the finish line; a promising future expected.
Race eight saw five-year-old gelding Ideal Karalta storm home in a strong field of twelve to claim a comfortable win in the 2200m Super Crisp Pace.
After running a close second in Hobart the week before, the win was in sight.
Trainer Kent Rattray said they decided to back him up with another race this week and were very pleased with the results.
“It’s something we normally don’t do but the horse is fit and ready to race.
“John Walters drove him really well coming from a wide draw he positioned him mid field and then moved three wide at the 600m, working forward he was able to win by a few metres,” Rattray said.
To make up for lost weeks during the coronavirus shut down the pacing has been extended until the end of December, meaning all classics will be run in spring.
“Spring racing will be a lot more favourable with the weather and the horses; horses look and feel better in the spring and a horse that feels better, runs better,” Rattray concluded.