Pin pulled on filly’s campaign after Eagle Farm fiasco

Time has been called on the Queensland campaign of the group one performer Bella Gioia.

The New Zealand 1000 Guineas runner-up was unplaced in her Australian debut in the group three Fred Best Classic and a decision has subsequently been made to rest the Swiss Ace filly.

“She ran into that awful track at Eagle Farm and it took the sting right out of her,” trainer Shaune Ritchie said.

“We could have freshened her up and carried on, but that would take time and we felt that might impede her spring. She’s having a two-week break over there and she’ll be out for another two weeks when she gets back. She won’t lose too much re- sidual fitness and we will have her back and ready for the spring.

“We’ll probably look for something soft first-up to give her some confidence and I’ve got no doubt she is a Hawke’s Bay carnival horse, but we’ll just see what happens later on.”

The stable did, however, enjoy a much better result in Sydney at the weekend when Sultan Of Swing got home strongly for second at Rosehill.

“It was a really good run and he didn’t get beaten by much in a A$100,000 race,” Ritchie said.

“He’s come through it well and I don’t see the point in bringing him home for a spell in the winter here. He might as well stay where there are A$100,000 races for him.”