Top of the class
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Bell Academy charges to the front
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Since kicking off in February, Bell Academy has achieved three wins and two seconds from seven starts. But it was his latest win at Eagle Farm on Saturday, May 31 that gave connections the biggest thrill in the Group 3 The Prop House Grand Prix Stakes 2100m.
Bell Academy (C3 Royal Academy USA-Bellquin) impressed trainer Robert Heathcote, “We’re over the moon with the win,” he said.
“The thing that has surprised us the most, I should say we’re delightfully surprised, is the fact that this horse is doing all of this on his first preparation. He’s basically gone from a horse that had his first trial right the way through to winning a Group 3 race.”
Bought for $40,000 the colt has already amassed $99,550 in prizemoney after claiming these races while climbing in distance.
“Some will argue that perhaps the quality of the race wasn’t as high as previous years but by the same token the race is there to be won and our horse put his hand up and won the race,” said Heathcote who was happy to see a big win after several second placings of late. “It’s nice. I’ve had seconds in Group 3 races the last two weeks and beaten by very slender margins so it’s very satisfying to win a Group 3 race.”
Ridden by Glyn Schofield, Bell Academy started towards the back and settled there. In the straight they moved up through the middle before charging up to take the lead.
Teary Eyed (Ryan Wiggins) placed second by three quarters of a length followed by $2.80 race favourite Petushki NZ (Leith Innes) a half length behind.
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Robert Heathcote and Glyn Schofield discuss their win (Noel Pascoe photos)
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Heathcote was happy with the ride and described Schofield as “a great rider”.
“As Glyn Schofield said upon dismounting the horse is still green, still got a fair bit to learn but he clearly has some talent,” said Heathcote.
“Pretty much what we’ve done is taken each race as it comes. Being his first preparation, whilst we had the plan on paper to ultimately go the Grand Prix and the Derby, you can’t when a horse is like that, you have to evaluate how they run, how they pull up, is there another run in the horse. Every time I set the bar, he keeps jumping it. So we keep going.”
“At the end of the day this horse has done this first preparation.”
Bell Academy is now set for the Group 1 BMW Queensland Derby 2400m on Saturday, June 7 at Eagle Farm.
QUEENSLAND Racing web news: Hollie Roberts – June 3
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