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| Staff Writer |
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Group One gun Bella Nipotina is looking sharp as a tack as she prepares to stake her claim for The Everest in next Saturday's Gr.3 US$650,000 Concorde Stakes (1000m) at Royal Randwick. The Ciaron Maher-trained mare caught the eye with a cracking tune-up at Warwick Farm on Tuesday, suggesting she's ready to hit the ground running this spring.
Coming off a brief freshen-up following her stellar Brisbane winter campaign, Bella Nipotina showed she's lost none of her spark, finishing strongly behind stablemates Tiz Invincible and Royal Merchant over 821m. Jockey Louise Day had the mare settled at the rear of the small field before letting her unleash a powerful finish, crossing the line just over a length off her workmates.
The Maher stable is brimming with confidence about their star sprinter's condition. Sydney-based assistant trainer Johann Gerard-Dubord couldn't hide his enthusiasm, stating, "She is very well and probably looks the best she ever has. She's been up at the beach (Bob's Farm) and has come back down and trialled really well."
All being well, Bella Nipotina will make her seasonal reappearance in the Gr.3 Concorde Stakes, using the race as a springboard towards a tilt at the US$13 million The Everest. While she's yet to secure a slot in the richest turf race in the world, her connections are hopeful her credentials will soon catch the eye of potential suitors.
Bella Nipotina's form over the past 12 months has been nothing short of sensational. She edged out current The Everest favourite I Wish I Win in the Gr.1 Doomben 10,000 in May before adding a third top-level success to her CV in the Gr.1 Tatt's Tiara in June. These performances, coupled with her consistency at the highest level, make her an attractive proposition for The Everest slot holders.
The Concorde Stakes has proven a launching pad for some of Australia's top sprinters in recent years. Notable winners include the likes of Redzel, who used the race as a stepping stone to his dual Everest triumphs in 2017 and 2018. Nature Strip, another dual Everest victor, also claimed the Concorde in 2019 before going on to dominate sprinting ranks both at home and abroad.
As Bella Nipotina prepares to join this illustrious list, the racing world will be watching closely to see if she can stamp herself as a genuine Everest contender. With her proven class and the Maher stable's expert handling, she looks set to make a bold statement in the Concorde Stakes and beyond.