BEL WAS IN CHARGE AT QUEANBEYAN - JUST

John Curtis

Jan 17, 20232 min read

TUESDAY: January 17, 2023: HAWKESBURY trainer Blake Ryan took another step in his fledgling career when Bel’s In Charge won a heart-stopper at Queanbeyan yesterday.

In a thrilling finish with very little separating the first four horses, Ryan’s Bel’s In Charge ($5.50) just edged out $101 roughie Incantata and Hell Right ($6.50) in the Maiden Handicap (900m), with Record Of Wrongs ($8.50) narrowly missing out on a placing.

“That’s my first winner for a syndicate, and I’m really pleased for the large group of owners and the horse,” Ryan said today.

“Bel’s In Charge is only tiny but tries her guts out when she goes to the races, and it was great to get that win with her yesterday.

“She stands only around 15 hands and weighs 415kg, but she is such an honest little filly.

“Vince Ferraro from Capri Racing & Syndications asked me if I would give her a try, and I was happy to do so.

“She cost only $4500 at the Inglis May yearling sale in 2021, and picked up nearly $20,000 yesterday, including a BOBS bonus.”

Having only her second ride for Ryan, Louise Day hugged the fence from the Charge Forward three-year-old’s inside barrier – and it won her the race.

Ryan said Bel’s In Charge was not a flash trackworker, but gave him hope she could win a race when just beaten in a 760m barrier trial at Hawkesbury in October.

“She was ready to go to the races after that trial, and hasn’t finished further back than fourth in her four starts,” he said.

“I’ll talk with Vince, but I’m considering giving her a break now that she has broken through.”

Bel’s In Charge was Ryan’s third victory of the season and his 13th overall, and he is hoping to add to that tally later in the week.

He has nominated recent Wyong placegetter Separatist for two races at Kembla Grange on Saturday, and Summer Provincial Series Final runner-up Momack for a Benchmark 88 Handicap (1600m) at Royal Randwick the same day.

And he returned home with a $40,000 purchase from the Magic Millions yearling sale, a chestnut colt by English stallion Calyx from the unraced Encosta De Lago mare Elite Circle.