Grinzinger Belle (NZ) All the Way at Caulfield

Karaka graduate Grinzinger Belle (NZ) (Shamexpress) collected the third Group win of her career with another bold front-running performance in Saturday’s A$200,000 Group Three Catanach’s 150 Years Vase (1600m) at Caulfield.

Previously the winner of the Group Two Let’s Elope Stakes (1400m) and Group Three Vanity Stakes (1400m), Grinzinger Belle was bought for $32,000 from Book 2 of Karaka 2022. She has now had 14 starts for four wins, five placings and A$598,655.

Grinzinger Belle has become renowned for her front-running tactics, and she adopted them again to great effect in Saturday’s Vase. Jockey Damian Lane drove her to the lead and she dominated from wire to wire under 59 kilograms, kicking hard in the straight and holding on to beat Private Legacy (The Autumn Sun) by half a length.

“I think she showed today that she’s a high cruising speed horse,” Lane said. “I wasn’t sure about her at the mile today, but two ticks to Danny O’Brien (trainer). He got it right.

“She was out on her feet late today, but she’d done a bit of work through the middle stages so was entitled to be. I think she just sees out the mile, so a race like the Empire Rose Stakes (Group One, 1600m) might be a good option for her.”

O’Brien was pleased to see his mare master the mile on Saturday.

“She’s been beaten a head in two mile races previously and just gobbled up late,” he said. “I think that’s as far as she wants, but she got the right conditions and did a good job there.

“We were pretty keen to be aggressive today. She needs to take the power out of the ones chasing her well before they turn it home. And Damian did that today. It's a fine balance, leaving enough to get to the line as well, but he rode her really well today.

“She certainly didn't get it as easy as you'd like the first 200 to 300 metres, but she's a great mare that's in great form and she's carried the big weight there today. We'll get her to the mile race in three weeks' time now and they’ll meet on set weights. It'll be a stronger race, but I'm sure she'll give a good sight.”