Vinery Stud Stakes presents stern challenge for Belle Cheval

Trainer Mark Walker remains amazed at the feats pulled off by exciting filly Ohope Wins during her New Zealand campaign this year, but he's determined not to yield this Saturday's $750,000 Vinery Stud Stakes easily.

Belle Cheval, under the Te Akau Racing banner, will contest the Group 1 over 2000 metres at Rosehill.

The Savabeel daughter extends from her 1500m effort in The Kiwi, beaten narrowly by Well Written, as she tackles 2000m for the first occasion, with Walker admitting Ohope Wins sets a high bar while pleased to oppose her after reducing distance from the New Zealand Oaks victory.

"We know that horse really well from New Zealand and they are coming back from 2400 to 2000, I'd rather be probably going 1500 to 2000," Walker said.

"But she has got very good New Zealand form, that's for sure.

"You don't know until you go to Australia how the New Zealand form is going to measure up, but Belle Cheval's run in The NZB Kiwi was really good.

"She is at 2000 metres first time, but she's by Savabeel and most of them get that sort of distance.

"You don't know until you try but at least as a three-year-old she should be able to manage it."

Among the 15 nominations for the Vinery Stud Stakes are Belle Cheval and Ohope Wins, shifted to Chris Waller post her Oaks win under Lance O'Sullivan & Andrew Scott.

This Group 1 joins the $1.5m Tancred Stakes (2400m) as Rosehill's top races on Saturday, the latter attracting 16 entries including Dubai Honour, Aeliana, Sir Delius, Vauban and Barnavara, the overseas Group 1 winner.

Belle Cheval heads into her seventh career start, having run third in last spring's Group 1 Thousand Guineas (1600m) at Riccarton, securing Group 3 successes at 1200m and 1400m prior to a razor-thin loss in The Kiwi.

Her campaign concludes with the Vinery Stud Stakes, but she'll return to Australian tracks before the year ends.

"She just has the one run then goes down to our Melbourne stable for three or four days and then we'll send out her out for a spell," Walker, who has an Australian base at Cranbourne, said.

"She'll spell down on the Mornington Peninsula and then we'll have back for spring racing in Melbourne."

For Belle Cheval's spring return in Melbourne, Walker eyes Group 1 assignments like the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) and Toorak Handicap (1600m).

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