Bellazaine stakes claim for Golden Slipper with Lonhro Plate win

Bellazaine missed out on a start in the Inglis Millennium but her consolation win in the Lonhro Plate could still prove valuable.

Bellazaine scored a consolation win in the Lonhro Plate at Randwick on Saturday. Picture: Jeremy Ng/Getty Images

Bellazaine missed her chance to race for $2m but she was still able to earn black type and put herself into the Golden Slipper frame with a tough win at Royal Randwick on Saturday.

The Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained Bellazaine settled on speed and was able to hold off a wall of challengers to win the Listed $200,000 Lonhro Platre (1000m).

Bott said connections were keen to run Bellazaine in the Inglis Millennium where the filly was eligible for the $400,000 Women’s syndicate bonus as well as the rich prizemoney but she was first emergency and missed a start.

“Certainly, I think that’s some consolation for the owners there, some important black type and residual value for her,’’ Bott said after Bellazaine’s Lonhro Plate.

“She was an emergency in the big race with the women’s only bonus there they were chasing, but I’m sure the owners will still be very satisfied with a big win today.

“Importantly, she has earned some prizemoney to count towards going to the Golden Slipper.’’

Another 2YO feature to @GaiWaterhouse1 -Bott, as Bellazaine wins the Listed @DarleyAus Lonhro Plate with @Reganbayliss in the saddle!@aus_turf_clubpic.twitter.com/uWZCRppeCm

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) February 8, 2025

Bellazaine ($5), ridden by Regan Bayliss, raced about a little under pressure in the straight but she dug deep and scored by a half-length from Beiwacht ($12) with Extractor ($3.80) 1¼ lengths away third.

Chergui was sent out the $3.70 favourite but jockey Zac Lloyd said the Godolphin colt endured a tough run three-wide without cover before fading to finish seventh.

Bayliss described Bellazaine as a “big, long, rangey and scopey’’ who will only get better as she gets out over a little further.

“She is still a little bit baulky and has a look around at things,’’ Bayliss said.

“Tim (Clark) has done most of the work on her and I grew in confidence hearing what he had to say about her. She didn’t disappoint today.”

Bott said the stable has always held Bellazaine in high regard even though the filly was unplaced at her only start in the Gimcrack Stakes earlier in the season.

“Things didn’t necessarily go to plan for her in the Gimcrack, she was always sort of one of our leading filly’s going into that race, and just the wide draw affected her on the day,’’ Bott said.

“But she has come back that much stronger and a more seasoned filly. She can certainly put her hand up.

“She’ll go to one of those fillies lead-up races, potentially a race like the Sweet Embrace, and see if we can get her fully qualified for the Golden Slipper.”

Bellazaine runs past Biewacht to win the Lonhro Plate. Picture: Jeremy Ng/Getty Images

Bott pointed out that Lady Of Camelot also ran unplaced in the Gimcrack Stakes on debut but trained on to win the Golden Slipper later in the season and he hopeful Bellazaine can also prove competitive in the world’s richest juvenile race.

“‘Look, she’s certainly up to it (Golden Slipper),’’ Bott said.

“She’s a lovely, big, strong filly. She’s had the advantage of having a preparation, too.’’

A $160,000 yearling purchase from the Inglis Classic Sale last year, Bellazaine firmed in Golden Slipper betting from $101 to $34 after the Lonhro Plate win.

The Chris Waller-trained Wodeton remains a dominant favourite at $3.50 for the world’s richest juvenile race run at Rosehill Gardens on March 22.

Godolphin trainer James Cummings said Beiwacht ran a brave race and put himself back into the Golden Slipper conversation.

Adam Hyeronimus, rider of Beiwatch, described the colt as a “nice horse with plenty of upside.”

Extractor ran an encouraging race when resuming to finish a close third while Algorithmic came from last on the turn for an eye-catching debut fourth.

Lil no Diamond in the rough

Mitch Cohen

Oh Diamond Lil ensured favourite backers had a painless watch with a commanding all the way win to open the card at Royal Randwick.

Punters backed the David Pfieffer-trained galloper into $1.80 favourite and the classy daughter of So You Think never really looked like getting beat in the Midway Benchmark 72 Handicap (1600m).

Jockey Kerrin McEvoy was able to make the most of barrier one and was able to find the lead easily before showing a strong kick in the straight to hold off John Sargent’s Harlow Mist by three-quarters of a length.

Punters are off to a good start with the fav Oh Diamond Lil taking the opener at Randwick! 💎@KPMcEvoy | @DavidPfieffer | @aus_turf_clubpic.twitter.com/7JSM4OTpH5

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) February 8, 2025

“She has done it nicely there,” McEvoy said.

“Dave (Pfieffer) has been patient with her all the way along and sort of put the pressure on a little more this preparation but she has put forward some nice runs.

“As I said to the guys beforehand, she ran second to Perfumist which is probably a nice horse in the making.

“It was nice to see her come back in grade there today and do it like that.”

Oh Diamond Lil came into this preparation as a maiden but has been a revelation for Pfieffer in recent weeks.

The daughter of So You Think has won three out of her past four starts with her only defeat coming behind in-form mare Perfumist.

“I am leaning towards giving her a break now,” Pfieffer said.

“She is a highly strung mare and I’d like her to end on a good note.

“I don’t see the point in taking on the horses getting ready for the carnival but I do want to get here to a stakes race eventually.”

Originally published as Bellazaine stakes claim for Golden Slipper with Lonhro Plate win