Wishing Belle is so relaxed

Ace trainer-reinsman Aiden De Campo continues to marvel at the sheer brilliance of champion filly Wishing Belle, who outclassed her rivals in the $215,000 Allwood Stud Farm Westbred Classic for two-year-old fillies over 2130m at Gloucester Park on Friday night.

“She is so relaxed,” he said after Wishing Belle, the $1.50 favourite, overcame the disadvantage of beginning from the back line and strolling to a 5m victory over the $3.30 second favourite Im Category Five, rating 1.57.7 after final quarters of 28.sec. and 28.8sec.

Wishing Belle settled down near the rear while Im Category Five was setting the pace after beginning smartly from the No. 3 barrier. De Campo quickly dashed Wishing Belle forward to race without cover.

“Half way down the back straight I thought I’m not sure how well we were travelling,” explained De Campo. “But she is a lazy kind of filly, and just before the top of the straight, about 200m from home, I pulled the plugs, and she changed gears and won easily.  

“She is just so professional, and she showed a bit of toughness tonight. There is a temptation to run in the Golden Slipper. I’ll see how she pulls up, but I will probably lean towards the paddock.

“She is an unreal horse. I’ve had no problems with her, and she paced the first day I put her in the cart. She is a pleasure to train.”

Wishing Belle, who is raced by several stable clients, is by American sire Bettors Wish and is out of former star mare Libertybelle Midfrew, who amassed $640,497 in stakemoney from 19 wins and eleven placings from 51 starts. Liberty Belle Midfrew’s major victories were in the WA Oaks in May 2014 and the Golden Nugget in December that year.

Wishing Belle has earned $257,511 from eight wins and one second from nine starts. Her only defeat was at her second start when she was beaten by Ma Petite Dame in the Sales Classic for two-year-old fillies in February this year.

By Ken Casellas