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Another Rising Star for Bel Esprit

14th Aug 2011

Breednet - Mark Smith - Saturday, 13 August 2011

Being a son of Bel Esprit, Bel Sprinter naturally draws comparisons to champion Black Caviar and he looked worthy of that accolade with a scintillating display of speed to land Saturday's Listed 60th Anniversary of National Service Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield.

The 4yo gelding kept his record a at a perfect four from four with his first stakes success.

Ben Melham sent Bel Sprinter on an uncontested lead and he never looked in danger in defeating Utah Saints (God's Own) by three lengths with 9yo gelding Stanzout (Gallo Di Ferro) a short-half-head back in third.

"It wasn't the plan to lead but he just found himself there, he began so well,” winning trainer Jason Warren said.

"Ben rated him, he couldn't hold the horse any slower and they dawdled, I thought, in front but he did let go when he asked him.

"He's pretty classy this bloke, it's very exciting.”

A homebred for part-owner Glen Bailey, Bel Sprinter is the first foal of the Snippets mare Gavroche who was sold at the 2009 Inglis August Mixed Sale for $11,000 when carrying a filly by Shinzig.

Gavroche was covered by Bel Esprit again last season.

A half-sister to the stakes-placed Azelna, Gavroche is out of the imported Miswaki mare La Miserable, a half-sister to the smart import Always Aloof who defeated another import Istidaad in the 1997 Underwood Stakes (G1).

Bel Sprinter becomes the 13th stakes-winner for Eliza Park Stud's Bel Esprit (pictured) who is coming off his best season to date, clocking in as the nations fifth leading sire with earnings of over $7 million, $3 million of which was earned by the glamour mare and leading Horse Of The Year candidate, Black Caviar.