Black Caviar's half-sister Belle Couture just missed out on a win on debut at Bendigo on Sunday. Greg Eurell, Brad Rawiller and Paddy’s Gem proved the party poopers, reports Racing Network.
Paddy’s Gem, also making her debut, grabbed Belle Courture, the heavily backed odds-on favorite, to win by a short head in the 3YO Fillies Maiden today at Bendigo.
Belle Couture, a $2.6 million yearling, wasn’t sharp from the barriers, but she was quickly into stride and settled just behind the tempo.
The filly was given a lovely ride by Damien Oliver, who took the filly to the front soon after straightening.
And as well as she fought, Belle Couture was unable to hold off Paddy’s Gem, who had to come from behind Belle Couture, overcome a bump, regain her balance and then rally late.
Belle Couture was heavily backed from as much as $2 in pre-race betting and then firmed from $1.75 to $1.50 on track.
Both trainer Danny O’Brien and Oliver believe the filly will be further improved by the experience as well as racing over more ground.
Oliver was pleased with the resilience of the filly, who was up for the fight.
He added that although Belle Couture didn’t know how to put away the race when she was in a position to do so she didn’t shirk the issue.
“When the winner came to us she really fought on and had the race been much further she was in front again on the line,” Oliver told Racing Victoria.
Paddy’s Gem impressed Brad Rawiller, who noted his filly enjoyed a lovely run in transit.
Rawiller added that Belle Couture showed plenty of fight after being headed.
“When we got out behind her (Belle Couture) I really had the race won and when I headed it she showed a fair bit of fight,” Rawiller told TVN.
“It was a good, tough job by mine having her first start to hold out to the finish.”