Bel Sorriso decisive in Thompson

Challenges were coming from all directions but it was tough mare Bel Sorriso who had the final say in the Group III Thompson Handicap at Riccarton on Saturday.

Trained by Levin veteran Grant Searle, the Keeper mare emerged late in the race to capture her eighth win and advance her earnings to around $180,000.

She had several things in her favour - a strong pace set after Authentic Paddy, Rocknrolla and Heavens Keep went to war up front, her preferred heavy track conditions, and the skill of jockey Johnathan Parkes.

She made her opposition pay with a dominant performance despite having her first run since June.

For a fleeting moment Cruiser, the horse who spent several seasons on the sidelines recuperating, looked like he was about to reward patient trainer Harvey Wilson as he hit the front for jockey Timothy Johnson.

But he couldn’t sustain his effort and he ran his third second from three starts since he returned to the track.

Roughie Big Dreamer gained valuable black-type with her gallant third.

Searle plans to keep the $5,000 yearling purchase to weight-forage races with the Tauranga Stakes on November 12 an option.

Bel Sorriso was bred by Cambridge Stud’s Sir Patrick and Lady Hogan, who also bred and partowns Gift Of Power.

The ough filly lived up to her $180,000 yearling sale price tag and royal pedigree with victory in the first of the season’s 2-year-old black-type events the Wellesley Stakes (1100m).

By Power out of Capital Diamond she was offered by Cambridge Stud at the sales and principals Sir Patrick and Lady Hogan stayed in the ownership syndicate put together by trainers Graeme and Debbie Rogerson who were the purchasers.

She won on debut for jockey Craig Grylls who was aboard again and he had to call on all the filly’s reserves to hold out Waldorf to go two from two.

Karaka Million nominated, she may firstly go to Riccarton for the Welcome Stakes in a few weeks.

Stablemate Savasava won the Guineas Trial earlier in the day. in the hands of Grylls.