New Zealand syndicator Fortuna’s silks have been to the fore during Melbourne Cup Week through the deeds of Melody Belle, and they are hoping they can feature prominently once more through their rising star Bellatrix Star.
Melody Belle won the Gr.1 Empire Rose Stakes (1600m) on Derby Day five years ago for then Te Akau trainer Jamie Richards, and if Bellatrix Star performs up to expectations in the Gr.2 Schillaci Stakes (1100m) at Caulfield on Saturday, she too could be heading towards the feature meeting.
The daughter of Star Witness has been in scintillating form for trainer Mark Walker in Australia this preparation, winning the Listed Cap D'Antibes Stakes (1100m) at Flemington last month before repeating the result in the Gr.3 Scarborough Stakes (1200m) at The Valley.
"She has grown a leg," Walker said. "It is terrific for New Zealand racing as a whole because we need our horses to perform. There are quite a few Group Ones on warnings, so any New Zealand-trained horses that can go to Australia and perform is good for the whole industry. It has been satisfying."
Bellatrix Star has drawn barrier four in Saturday's nine-horse field and will be ridden by Craig Williams.
"It is not easy taking on the older horses over there. She is in brilliant form, so we will see how we go," Walker said.
The trans-Tasman trainer is eyeing his mare's options post Saturday, but is leaning towards a tilt at an elite-level target at Flemington next month.
"Perhaps the Coolmore Stakes, the Group One three-year-old race on Derby Day," he said.
Meanwhile, back in New Zealand, stablemate Campionessa will attempt to add to her Group One haul in the Livamol Classic (2040m) at Te Rapa on Saturday.
The seven-year-old mare was runner-up first-up over 1400m at Ellerslie last month before fourth in a 1300m contest at Matamata last week. She trialled at Matamata on Tuesday where she won her 1200m heat, and Walker is pleased with her ahead of the weekend.
"We are happy with her, we are just hoping it is not a Heavy track," he said.
"It has been wet and we haven't had the ideal preparation. It is one of those years where a lot of different factors will be involved (in Saturday's outcome)."
Following the weekend, Walker said Campionessa will likely follow a similar path to what she did last summer, with a focus on defending her crown in the Gr.1 Zabeel Classic (2050m).
Te Akau Racing's Riccarton barn will also be gunning for Group glory on Saturday when they head to Ashburton with a quartet of contenders for the Gr.3 Barneswood Farm Stakes (1400m), including When Stars Align, The Victress, Dream Of The Moon, and Donna Chiara.
"We think When Stars Align likes a firm track and he hasn't had it in both runs this time back in," Walker said. "We have given him the benefit of the doubt, but he has got to put his hand up on Saturday.
"Dream Of The Moon is in good form and should go well. There is a question mark with the distance for The Victress. We are just going to try and get some cover and see how we go.
"Donna Chiara won really nice last start and she appears to be thriving down there. We got her down there early, she is quite a lightly-framed filly. It is a bit of step up from the maiden she won, but on appearances, she looks very well and her work has been good."
While buoyed by their chances in Saturday's three-year-old feature, Te Akau Racing are disappointed that the spring campaign is over for exciting stablemate and leading Gr.1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) contender Age Of Discovery.
The three-year-old son of Savabeel is unbeaten in his two starts to date, but pulled up with an injury following his victory in the Guineas Trial (1400m) at Riccarton last month.
"He is out of the Guineas, he pulled up with a bit of an issue after he won that race," Walker said. "He will have more tests once he comes back north."
