Cheeky Belgin stamps herself as a serious chaser

By Josh Spasaro 

Peter O’Reilly believes the blueprint for Cheeky Belgin’s future success at Group level came just two starts ago when she enjoyed a massive QGOLD Rookies heat win.

The two-year-old bitch – who celebrated her birthday on May 4 – saluted by 10-and-a-quarter lengths, before she was pipped at the post by Grace Ile for Selena Zammit in the Final on Saturday night.

“That was a really good run. When she gets to the front, she’s a hard dog to run down,” O’Reilly said.

Cheeky Belgin – by Feral Franky and out of Sequana – will jump from box six in the first of two Young Gunnettes heats over 457 metres at Q1 Lakeside on Saturday night.

While the box draw isn’t ideal, the light brindle chaser will take plenty of confidence from her past two starts going into this weekend’s assignment, which is worth $11,280.

The experienced Yamanto conditioner had a good feeling about Cheeky Belgin’s chances before her dominant QGOLD Rookies heat win. She crossed the line in 25.36 seconds in that performance. 

“I backed her myself. I thought she’d be a good chance out of box three. She likes the three – she’s won twice out of there,” O’Reilly said. 

“She hasn’t had that many starts, but if she keeps going, I think she’ll be a handy little girl. She’s a good size.”

Cheeky Belgin has saluted on two occasions from 11 starts and has already collected over $20,000 in prizemoney.

O’Reilly believes she can keep the stakes money ticking over by finishing in the top four on Saturday, which would lock in a starting berth in the Young Gunnettes Final.

And, that is despite the fact she will jump from the six lane in a high-quality heat that includes Summer’s Dunay for Travis Elson, Beautiful Child for Michael McGrath, She’s All Fire for Tony Brett and Zipping Lee for Tom Tzouvelis.

“The box draw is not real good, but she’s going to be in there. It’s a hard race, but she’s only got to run in the first four to get into the next race,” he said.

“And, then if she draws a better box, it’d be good.

“It’s a pretty good race, all right. She’s just got to jump.”

O’Reilly said Cheeky Belgin was “unlucky” not to finish over the top of Grace Ile from the eight box in the QGOLD Rookies Final last Saturday night.

“She was unlucky. If she didn’t find some traffic on the first corner, I think she would’ve won the race,” he said.

“See how we go again – we’ve got another chance, haven’t we?”

O’Reilly said Cheeky Belgin’s prolific dam and former city-class chaser Sequana was now living with him.

“I’ve actually got her now, but she won’t have any more pups. She’s eight-and-a-half years old,” he said.

“With a bit of luck, she might come on again soon and I might get another shot. But, I don’t like my chances.

“I bought two pups off Russell Farrell and he was a little ill. So, he said ‘do you want the bitch as well?’”

Cheeky Belgin’s litter brother Sampson is also under O’Reilly’s care.

The two-year-old black dog has three wins from 14 starts.

“He’s a pretty smart dog. He’s injured at the moment. I think when he comes back, he’ll be just as good,” he said.