Options for Belle du Nord
Standout two-year-old Belle du Nord has recently returned to Emma-lee and David Browne’s Cambridge stable after a twomonth spell.
The Reliable Man filly had an impressive two-year-old season, featuring a comprehensive victory over subsequent Gr.1 J.J. Atkins runner-up Aloisia and Listed Castletown Stakes winner Hard Merchandize at Trentham in March.
She backed-up that performance with a brave second to Karaka Million winner Melody Belle in the Gr.1 Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes at Awapuni.
‘‘I was really happy with those two runs,’’ Emma-lee Browne said.
‘‘Obviously we were in the worst of the ground in the Group One down on the fence, which was not ideal, but I thought she was very game the way she finished it off.’’
Given the performance of Melody Belle and Aloisia in Australia, Browne said a trip across the Tasman could be on the cards for the filly next season, although she is leaving that call to her group of owners in the Northern Club Racing Syndicate.
‘‘We’re actually going to be having a meeting with the owners in the next week or so,’’ Browne said.
Belle du Nord was purchased for the syndicate by Michael Otto at the 2016 NZB National Weanling, Broodmare and Mixed Bloodstock Sale. He went to $50,000 on the behest of Sir David Williams to secure the daughter of capable sprinter Bankside Belle.
‘‘Sir David Williams, QC, is the driving party behind the syndicate. He’s had quite a few horses with us,’’ Browne said.
‘‘He wanted to buy a filly for the Northern Club. He said to us and Michael Otto that he wanted us to go to the May sale and look at her. If we all agreed she was a nice type he wanted to buy her.’’
She has developed into a stronger horse after her spell, according to Browne and there are plenty of options to consider heading into her three-year-old season.
‘‘I think her ideal distance would be a mile to 2000m, she’ll definitely get there,’’ she said. ‘‘She has a really good turn of foot and has got a lot of speed so she may be able to do the shorter distances as well.
‘‘She has developed quite a lot during her spell, she’s looking a lot stronger and feeling very well. I’m pretty excited about the season ahead for her.’’