Bellatrix Black (NZ) Makes Spectacular NZB Filly of the Year Series Debut

She may have left her run too late to catch New Zealand Bloodstock Filly of the Year Series leader Self Obsession (NZ) (Shocking), but a superb performance in Saturday’s $90,000 Group Three McKee Family Sunline Vase (2100m) at Ellerslie marked Bellatrix Black (NZ) (Redwood) as a filly to follow. 

The Catherine Cameron-trained runner debuted with a fourth at Pukekohe in late December, then picked up two second placings in January before scoring a maiden win at Tauranga in February. She stepped up to stakes class for the first time on Saturday and made a massive first impression.

Ridden by Taiki Yanagida, Bellatrix Black settled midfield before sprinting brilliantly in the straight, diving through to snatch victory by a head from proven rivals Mustang Valley (NZ) (Vanbrugh) and Achieve (NZ) (Pierro).

“She impressed me – she is such a tough girl,” Yanagida said. “Catherine and I had been talking about how the 2400 metres of the Oaks (at Trentham on March 19) would be better, so she is going to perform well over that distance, I’m sure.”

Bellatrix Black is raced by her breeders, Dave McKerchar and Janet Alexander, and she is the first foal out of the winning mare Dark Arts (NZ) (Mastercraftsman), who was bought for $15,000 from the 2014 Select Yearling Sale at Karaka.

From five starts, Bellatrix Black has now had two wins, two second placings and $63,540 in stakes.

“That was fantastic and a great result for her owners, who rolled the dice and didn’t sell her after her last win,” Cameron said. “It’s a great thrill for them.

“She has just been a lovely filly to have and she is quite progressive. She is relatively fresh compared to some of these, so it was good to see that today. We hoped she could take the next step up.

“She has had a cheeky nom for the New Zealand Oaks, and we might have to trek to Wellington now, if she comes through this well.”

Bellatrix Black earned 6 points from her first appearance in the New Zealand Bloodstock Filly of the Year Series, which puts her in equal seventh place. Self Obsession is well ahead with 24.

Placegetters Mustang Valley and Achieve earned 3 and 1.5 points apiece, lifting their totals to 9 and 8 respectively.

There is now only one leg remaining, the $400,000 Group One Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand Oaks (2400m) at Trentham on March 19, which is worth 12 points to the winner.