A stunning city debut by Belle De Coeur has young south coast trainer Luke Price dreaming big.
Price nominated the Group One Myer Classic at Flemington as the spring target for the filly who took her record to three wins and an unlucky second from four starts when she won Saturday’s Diocesan Development Fund (1200m) at Rosehill.
Belle De Coeur - Photo by Steve Hart
“I can’t wait to get her up to a mile (1600m),” Price said.
“The Myer Classic would be a great race for her.
“I’ll discuss it with the owners but she’ll have a week at home on the farm and we’ll decide whether to give her another run this time or get her ready for the spring.”
Belle De Coeur came to Price as an unraced filly after preparations with two metropolitan trainers.
“She’s only just learned to jump out of the barriers this preparation and she’s come a long way,” Price said.
The filly’s jockey Kathy O’Hara was just as enthusiastic after Belle De Coeur ($8.50) worked through the pack to race to a 2-3/4 length win over She’s A Stalker ($5.50).
“She has a really good turn of foot and possesses everything a horse needs to make the grade,” O’Hara said.
“She is a pleasure to ride. You can see it in her mannerisms and she just fills you with confidence.
“I think she will get even further than 1600 metres. You can ride her anywhere and she just drops the bridle.
“This was a step up and she did it easily.”
The filly’s other two wins were at Kembla Grange and Wagga Wagga while she ran second on debut after getting blocked for a run.
