Ciaron Maher & Craig Williams have combined with Bella Nipotina once again to claim back-to-back wins in the Russell Balding Stakes (1300m) at Rosehill on Saturday afternoon.
The seven-year-old marvel looked perfectly placed to continue winning ways after a tough victory in the 2024 Everest (1200m) a fortnight ago, stepping to the 1300m against a similar group of gallopers.
The race setup perfectly for the daughter of Pride Of Dubai, with Williams lobbing into the one-one from barrier three, as Coal Crusher ($15.00) and I Am Me ($10.00) went along at a strong tempo throughout the journey.
Private Eye ($8.00) was able to utilize barrier one to sit on Bella’s inside every step of the way, while Sunshine In Paris ($4.40) and Lady Laguna ($17.00) were poised to make strong inroads down the centre of the course.
They were all playing for second in the end, however, as Bella Nipotina never looked in doubt, cruising to the lead before putting pave to her rivals in the concluding stages.
It’s hard to believe it’s the first time Bella Nipotina has together back-to-back wins in her 56-start career, taking her over an astonishing $20 million in prize money for connections.
2024 Russell Balding Stakes – Bella Nipotina
Stable representative Johann Gerard-Dubord was on course at Rosehill to praise their ever-consistent mare.
“What a horse she is,” said Gerard-Dubord.
“She’s just an absolute marvel. She just loves racing. When you think you’ve seen everything with her, there’s more to come.
“They went quick today, she just travelled, just got there so easily and when she quickened she was just different class today. I think she just keeps getting better. The more she races, the better she is. She’s just full of confidence, just loving life right now.
“She’s been a great horse for the stable. Credit to the team. She’s been everywhere.
“This prep, obviously, she’s been up here. She’s spent some time at the beach, she’s been at Bong Bong between runs. We’ve got great facilities, a great team of people, and that’s credit to them.
“She loves travelling, more than anyone else. She’s travelled more than me the last couple of years. But she’s got a great bunch of owners.
“Obviously they’ve had a lot of fun with her. And the fact she keeps doing it, I think that’s the impressive part.”
Craig Williams spoke to the achievement of becoming Australia’s second highest earning horse and credited her toughness throughout her career.
“Well, the only way she can do it is because of her determination, her ability, and the people that she has behind her,” said Williams.”
“So, fortunately for me I’ve been the jockey the last two-and-a-half years and got to know her really well and had an amazing journey with her, and Wow. It’s amazing how we can get her some days and she’s like ‘no, it’s my way’. Today it was just the easy way.
“I’ve got to thank Bella. She’s just an amazing horse and I’m just privileged for the ride. We realised that she doesn’t speed up to other horses. We realised that over a period of time she just decreases slower than the rest of them.”
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