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Dual Group 2 winner just edges out Bella Vella at Canterbury

The Chris Waller-trained Haut Brion Her (Zoustar) showed her readiness for her upcoming autumn campaign when she edged out Group 1 winner Bella Vella (Commands) in a 905 metre trial at Canterbury on Tuesday. 

The dual Group 2-winning daughter of Zoustar (Northern Meteor) did her best work late to edge out Bella Vella on the line, eventually beating her by a nose. The winning time of the 905 metres was 54.44 seconds. 

Bella Vella’s is set to be sold at the Magic Millions Gold Coast National Broodmare Sale in June and her trainer Will Clarken told Racing.com that the mare will either be seen in the Challenge Stakes (Gr 2, 1000m) at Randwick, or the Newmarket Handicap (Gr 1, 1200m) at Flemington, with both races being run on March 6. 

Should the daughter of Commands (Danehill) line up in the Flemington Group 1 she will be attempting to add a second elite level race to her CV having landed the Robert Sangster Stakes (Gr 1, 1200m) last May. 

"Jason [Collett] reported she had to work a little to cross but was lovely and relaxed once she found the front," said Clarken.

"He also added it felt like she wanted to be there and was up for the contest when Chris' mare got alongside her in the straight.

"The plan is to run her on March 6 but at the moment I'm not sure whether that will be in Sydney in the Challenge Stakes at Randwick or if we divert to Melbourne that same day and have a crack at the Newmarket at Flemington.

"With her pending sale at the Broodmare Sale on the Gold Coast in June, the one thing we do know is she is very much a race-by-race proposition now."

Haut Brion Her gets the nose down to beat @Clarken_Racing's Group 1 winner Bella Vella in a trial at Canterbury on Tuesday, Stolen Jade finishes in third. @tabcomau @cwallerracing @7horseracing pic.twitter.com/gmJM5xdOEw

— Racing NSW (@racing_nsw) February 22, 2021