Talented three-year-old filly Grinzinger Belle (NZ) (Shamexpress) broke maiden ranks in empathic fashion when scoring an all-the-way victory in the Ladbrokes Communities Plate (1300m) at Sandown on Wednesday for trainer Danny O’Brien.
The daughter of Shamexpress set a solid tempo under Damian Lane to score her first win at start number three, comfortably withstanding the fast-closing Roll On High (Shamus Award) with Zousuko (Zoustar) in third.
“We were really pleased with how she has done this preparation,” O’Brien’s Racing Manager Jack Howard said.
“We were a touch disappointed on Friday when the races at Mornington were called off as we thought 1500m around that circuit would really suit her, especially with the way she races up on speed with a high-cruising speed that can kick off it.
“Today we got a perfect ride from Damian. We just let her roll out in front and we wanted him to make sure it wasn’t a sit and sprint, which really suited her.
“It is great for John Wheeler (owner). He is overseas enjoying a holiday at the moment but he has hit a bit of a hot-streak with the Grinzinger hoses so hopefully we can keep it rolling for him.
“We will take her through her grades, but there is a bit of form that came out of her debut run at Weribee (as a two-year-old when beaten by Fragile Love).
“We were a touch disappointed with her run at Geelong first-up but she has bounced through it well.
“We will just build her up but there is expectation that we can get her through to some nice staying races in the spring. John is one of the best owners going around. He is very patient. We will get her home, see how she is and go from there.
By Windsor Park Stud stallion Shamexpress, Grinzinger Belle is out of Ripsomemore (NZ), a Rip Van Winkle half-sister to Group Three winner Golden Parachute.
The progressive filly is another good graduate of the New Zealand Bloodstock Book 2 Yearling Sale, where she was purchased by Wheeler for $32,000.
