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New Zealand Racing News
Monday, June 05 2017

Time has been called on the Queensland campaign of the Group One performer Bella Gioia.

Bella Gioia - Race Images Palmerston North

The New Zealand 1000 Guineas runner-up was unplaced in her Australian debut in the Gr.3 Fred Best Classic and a decision has subsequently been made to rest the Swiss Ace filly.

"She ran into that awful track at Eagle Farm and it took the sting right out of her," trainer Shaune Ritchie said.

"We could have freshened her up and carried on, but that would take time and we felt that might impede her spring. She's having a two break over there and she'll be out for another two weeks when she gets back.

"She won't lose too much residual fitness and we will have her back and ready for the spring.

"We'll probably look for something soft first-up to give her some confidence and I've got no doubt she is a Hawke's Bay carnival horse, but we'll just see what happens later on."

The stable did, however, enjoy a much better result in Sydney at the weekend when Sultan Of Swing got home strongly for second at Rosehill.

"It was a really good run and he didn't get beaten by much in a $A100,000 race," Ritchie said.

"He's come through it well and I don't see the point in bringing him home for a spell in the winter here. He might as well stay where there are $A100,000 races for him."

There is also an outside chance of the last-start Ellerslie winner Bee Tee Junior making an appearance in Sydney.

"He's owned in Tauranga so they would probably like to have a go at the Kiwifruit Cup and he wouldn't know himself getting in on the minimum," Ritchie said.

"The other option could be Sydney, they can fly in and out. He'd love 2400 metres and he can perform on all track conditions."

Posted by: Racing Desk AT 12:39 am   |  Permalink   |  Email
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