By Ray Hickson
Jockey Tyler Schiller believes taking the blinkers off Belclare was a masterstroke so he’s confident the mare can repeat her stunning last start performance in Saturday’s Group 2 $500,000 Cincotta Chemist Hot Danish Stakes (1400m) at Rosehill.
After her runaway win in The Invitation two weeks ago, in near track record time, Belclare will renew rivalries with the runner-up Magic Time.
Schiller suspected Belclare, $3.50 with TAB on Friday, would be a different horse when trainer Bjorn Baker told him the blinkers would come off last start and he said there was so much strength in the win.
“I feel like she had to do it tough enough, she didn’t jump in front but she jumped with Makarena,’’ he said.
“She had to do enough work to get there and with Magic Time getting the camp in the one-one I thought there was a bit of merit in her win.
“She didn’t just get it handed to her, I know she got the lead and they didn’t attack her as such but she went a good gallop and she sustained it.
“The last bit she kept fighting, it never looked like she was going to get beaten from the 200m.
“Bjorn just took the blinkers off and allowed her to do what she does best which is roll to the front and tough it out.”
Schiller says he’s not hell bent on leading again with Belclare in the Hot Danish but would be more than happy to assume the position if it’s there for the mare.
“If she can get there and dictate again that seems to be her most comfortable role,’’ he said.
“Even if she can’t dictate, and gets to sit off something, I wouldn’t be surprised if she puts in just as good as that performance.
“Without the blinkers I think she’s a different horse, she relaxes better and she can use that in her finish instead of midway through the race.”
Things will be a bit harder for stablemate Amor Victorious in the Listed $2 million Five Diamonds (1800m) from an awkward draw in a race that looks to possess high speed.
He said the gelding, who was coming off a win in the Shannon Stakes, wasn’t the same horse as he tracked the winner Iknowastar in the Prelude but offered little in the way of resistance.
“He’s not drawn great, I’d say Bjorn hasn’t done too much with him since his last run,’’ he said.
“Maybe a little freshen up in the mind is all he needs, he could come out and surprise and I think the 1800m will suit well.”
It’s worth keeping an eye on unraced colt West Of Swindon in the Group 3 $1 million Inglis Golden Gift (1100m), Schiller said, following an impressive trial win.
He feels the Wootton Bassett two-year-old has plenty of potential though warns he doesn’t believe he’ll be afforded the lead as he was in the trial win.
Belclare wins The Invitation
“He’s a lovely colt, he’s a very professional and straightforward type,’’ he said.
“He showed some natural pace in the trial but I’d be surprised if he’s going to be forward form that barrier.
“If he jumps and there’s nothing else there he may be closer but I thought his trial was terrific. I feel like he is going to be better over 1300m or 1400m in time but it’s a good starting point for him.”
All the fields, form and replays for Saturday’s Rosehill meeting