Bella Vella back from the barn

Group One winning mare Bella Vella will return to racing this Saturday after failing to get in foal for a second season as a broodmare.

The Will Clarken trained Bella Vella is now seven years of age, but a zest for racing has encouraged Rosemont Stud to see if she can become a dual winner of the group one Sangster Stakes over the Adelaide carnival.

Originally with the Mike Moroney camp before racing under Matthew Vella, she showed promise as a two-year-old but when her form began to wane, she was sent to the breeding barn to be serviced by Criterion.

Unable to get in foal, which later turned out to be due to fertility issues with Criterion, she ended up with Will Clarken in 2019 and quickly found form over sprinting trips, winning the Hills Railway Stakes in 2020 before leading all the way in the Sangster three weeks later.

Purchased by Rosemont Stud in 2021, Bella Vella again failed to get in foal and a decision to return to racing was made, with the group three R N Irwin Stakes her kick off point this Saturday.

Speaking after her most recent trial win at Morphettville on April 7th, Will Clarken was confident she’s on track.

“I was absolutely rapt with her. It was exactly what I wanted to see and more,” said Clarken.”

“She has to go out there and not just run but be ultra-competitive first-up and, if she’s not, she’ll be going straight back to the paddock and waiting to get covered again next season.”

Jockey Kayla Crowther, who will ride Bella Vella for the first time, was complimentary of her chances on Saturday.

“She’s a real racehorse, she’s trialled well leading into this and told us she was happy. It maps really well for her, she’s drawn one and she’s going to get a really nice run first up.” Crowther told SEN’s Andrew Bensley on Thursday.

Bella Vella is a $7.50 chance on Saturday with the TAB, and a $13 chance for the Sangster on the 7th of May.