Lekvarte storms to Belle Of The Turf success

[Wandering Eyes]

Talented New Zealand-bred mare Lekvarte (NZ) (Reliable Man) landed her maiden stakes victory when coming with a stunning late finish to plunder the Gr.3 Belle Of The Turf Stakes (1600m) at Gosford on Thursday.

The Joe Pride-trained mare had kicked off her five-year-old season with a win at Newcastle on November 18 before another strong win at Rosehill at the beginning of the month prior to Thursday’s triumph.

Ridden by Tommy Berry, Lekvarte came from second last to defeat Zoe’s Promise (Swear) by one and a half-lengths with Pioneer Lass (Stratum Star) a long-head back in third.

“Full credit to Joe, it highlights what a trainer he is. She was a month between runs and missed a trial,” Tommy Berry said.

“I spoke to him this morning, and he had so much confidence he said to ride her quietly and produce her late and she will be too good for them.   

“I thought I might give Benny (Vassallo) a bit of a heart attack on the corner and get his blood pumping. I’m sure he is happy now, and the Vassallos are great family friends.

“They have found another good one here and will reap the rewards when she goes to the breeding barn.”

Lekvarte has now earned A$608,230 in stakes from a 25-start career that has produced seven wins and five placings.

By Westbury Stud stallion Reliable Man, Lekvarte is out of the black-type Encosta de Lago mare Plumm, who was runner-up in the Gr.3 Adrian Knox Stakes (2000m) for Grahame Begg.

The talented grey was sold as a yearling through the Westbury Stud Book 1 draft at Karaka in 2020, knocked down to BK Racing & Breeding in conjunction with Andrew Williams Bloodstock for $210,000.

There are 21 yearlings by Reliable Man catalogued at the forthcoming Karaka Yearling Sales, with nine in Book 1 and 12 in Book 2.

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