Pride of Dubai Mare to Chase G1

The Ciaron Maher and David Eustace stable claimed four consecutive races at Moonee Valley on Saturday, culminating with stable favourite Bella Nipotina (5m Pride of Dubai x Bella Orfana, by Star Witness) in the Listed MVRC Carlyon (1000m).

Fifth at her last two runs in Group I company last season, Bella Nipotina was first up from a spell and showed her class to win by a long head.

David Eustace said the daughter of Pride Of Dubai would target the Group I MVRC Mankato Stakes, hopefully going one better than her second to Jonker twelve months ago.

“She is just incredibly tough and has danced every dance over the last twelve to eighteen months,” Eustace said.

“She is possibly getting better. Hopefully, she gets back for the Manikato (Stakes), that’s the plan.

“There is an awful lot of sprint races for her in the spring, in Sydney as well.

“She can travel, and is incredibly brave, so it’s great to start off the campaign like this.

“It’s three weeks to the McEwen (Stakes), which is ideal. She is just so versatile and so tough."

An $80,000 Inglis Premier purchase for Lindsay Park Racing / Andrew Williams Bloodstock / Mt Hallowell Stud from the Rosemont stud draft, Bella Nipotina was bred by Michael Christian and partners at Longwood Thoroughbred Farm and they retain a share in her ownership.

She has the tidy record of five wins and 13 placings from 30 starts with earnings of $1.8million. Bella Nipotina is the first foal of Bella Orfana, a placed sibling by Star Witness to Group winners Hallowell Belle and Fuddle Dee Duddle from the family of Group I Caulfield Guineas winner In Top Swing.

Bella Nipotina has been a great flagbearer for Pride of Dubai, who stands at a fee of $16,500 this spring.