The rain was softly falling before and after the first race at Bathurst’s Tyers Park on Monday but the heavens withheld as Cheeky Bella ($2.90) claimed victory in the Panorama Auctions Benchmark 60 Handicap (1400m).
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Prior to a lightning-forced delay which pushed all races back, six-year-old Cheeky Bella made the most of barrier one to claim a fourth career win.
With Blake Spriggs in the saddle for Hawkesbury trainer Mike Van Gestel, the $2.90 chance cruised to a three-quarter length victory over All Things In Time ($3.40).
“It was a smaller field, which was good,” Van Gestel’s wife Louisa, who owns the horse with her husband, said.
“It was a pretty good run. She was out front and I think she handled the front well.
“Having barrier one was an advantage.
“She is quite an honest and she can be a bit tricky to race sometimes, a bit head strong.
“Overall her career hasn’t been too bad.”
She is quite an honest and she can be a bit tricky to race sometimes.
- Louisa Van Gestel
Cheeky Bella bolted from barrier one to take the lead but was closely pursued by Edge Of Madness ($51).
The field barely changed until the straight, where Cheeky Bella was able to hold off All Things In Time and the Orange-trained Eva Jean ($2.40 favourite).
Van Gestel is not sure where the horse will race in her next start.
The third finish was the second consecutive placing for Eva Jean, trained by Brad Draper, after a second finished at the same track the week before.
There was a long delay after the first race due to a lightning storm.
Things kicked off again with all events pushed back two races, Richard Freedman’s Triple Choice ($2.10) won the second.
