Chief Stipe Posted March 28 Posted March 28 Congratulations to Te Akau, the Archers and Belle Cheval for a very very good win in the 2026 Vinery Grp 1 at Rosehill. I said after the KiwiB that this filly had a lot of upside and probably more than Well Written. 1 Quote
Chief Stipe Posted March 28 Author Posted March 28 Kiwi filly survives protest to claim maiden Group 1 in Vinery thriller Belle Cheval (No.2) held on to the Group 1 Vinery Stud Stakes in the stewards’ room. Picture: Bradley Photoshttps://bitofayarn.com By Mitch Cohen 06:48pm • 28 March 2026 0 Comments Kiwi filly Belle Cheval forced jockey Zac Lloyd to fight for her Group 1 breakthrough twice – first on the track and then in the stewards' room at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday. Lloyd, fresh from a maiden Golden Slipper triumph last weekend, was first past the post on Mark Walker's emerging star in the Group 1 $750,000 Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m).https://bitofayarn.com But Lloyd and Walker found themselves fighting to hold on to the result shortly after. A protest was fired in by runner-up After Summer's jockey Billy Egan immediately after the race, citing interference suffered entering the straight and near the 200m mark. Lloyd shifted out on Belle Cheval to make his run on the home turn, brushing his rival before the winner shifted out abruptly around the furlong pole, coming across the path of After Summer. Just a nose separated the pair at the post. "That (on the corner) has cost me a good length, we've started on level terms and he has bumped me and my horse has lost a length going back so on that evidence alone, beaten a nose, that's cost us the race," Egan said.https://bitofayarn.com Egan felt he had "had to build my momentum for a second time" when Belle Cheval drifted out over the final 100m. Lloyd was adamant both incidents didn't prevent After Summer from overhauling his mount. "If anything he was riding his horse into me (on turn) which was shown by his right hand off the horse," he said.https://bitofayarn.com "I don't think that has cost him any ground and I just thought that was a move that was very subtle. "Over the last 200m, I think it's quite evident my horse has lost three-quarters of a length shifting out and I think if you pause at the top of the straight to the end of the race, Billy Egan has finished on about as a straight an arrow as you found find, I don't think he veer his horse in or out at any point." Racing NSW stewards dismissed the protest after a short deliberation. Walker had been on the other side of a protest defeat the last time Belle Cheval raced back across the ditch. NZ stewards dismissed his connections' protest into the result of the NZB Kiwi where his filly ran a close second to boom filly Well Written.https://bitofayarn.com "It was the NZB Kiwi photo all over again," he said. "She just ran around a bit, but it was great for the filly. (Breeders and co-owners) David (Archer) and Diane (Wright), and the team at home in New Zealand prepared her really well. "Everyone has been working hard in Melbourne and New Zealand. We had a Group 1 at home today and a Group 1 here, so it's a very special day." "I actually thought we got beaten, whereas I'd thought we'd won the NZB Kiwi. I was glad to see the photo." Zac Lloyd landed another Group 1 a week after winning the Golden Slipper. Picture: Getty Images Belle Cheval was stepping into new territory on her Australian debut as the daughter of Savabeel had never been tested over 2000m. Lloyd was able to give Belle Cheval ($2.60 favourite) an economical run in behind the speed, which allowed the three-year-old to just see out the trip. The Ciaron Maher-trained Salty Pearl ($4.20) finished a close third. She showed a bit of fight, normally she's known for her dazzling turn of foot whereas today she built and showed a bit of fight. She's a good mare and it was a tenacious win by her," Lloyd said. It was a Sydney Group 1 breakthrough for Walker, who confirmed Belle Cheval would now enjoy a well-earned stint in the paddock. Quote
TIME FOR CHANGE Posted Monday at 09:29 AM Posted Monday at 09:29 AM Just a thought….. was she NZ trained or Aussie 🤔 Thought it should have had Walker/Betgerson as trainers not M Walker .. Cranbourne The Derby runner Road to Paris had James/Wellwood as trainers Quote
Chief Stipe Posted Monday at 07:31 PM Author Posted Monday at 07:31 PM 9 hours ago, TIME FOR CHANGE said: Just a thought….. was she NZ trained or Aussie 🤔 Why does it matter? 10 hours ago, TIME FOR CHANGE said: Thought it should have had Walker/Betgerson as trainers not M Walker .. Cranbourne The horse was transferred to Te Akau Cranbourne. 10 hours ago, TIME FOR CHANGE said: The Derby runner Road to Paris had James/Wellwood as trainers James/Wellwood don't have a stable in Australia. Quote
Freda Posted Monday at 10:12 PM Posted Monday at 10:12 PM Should have been to Walker, Cranbourne, not Te Akau. They are syndicators, not trainers. 2 Quote
hesi Posted Monday at 10:31 PM Posted Monday at 10:31 PM 19 minutes ago, Freda said: Should have been to Walker, Cranbourne, not Te Akau. They are syndicators, not trainers. Very good point lol 2 Quote
Chief Stipe Posted Monday at 11:03 PM Author Posted Monday at 11:03 PM 31 minutes ago, Freda said: Should have been to Walker, Cranbourne, not Te Akau. They are syndicators, not trainers. 12 minutes ago, hesi said: Very good point lol This old chestnut normally proffered by the disillusioned. No doubt the rabble will ignite with their normal BS and diatribes... The fact is Te Akau is not just a syndicator and to label them that shows either a complete lack of understanding of their operation or a propensity to diminish the efforts of ALL their staff. All 140 of them spread over four locations and two countries. A Co-trainer, 3 Assistant Trainers, Stable foremen, Stud staff - track riders, apprentices and the many workers who work unsociable long hours to keep all the horses happy. Add to that the communications and marketing staff and back office workers. Nor should we forget the person who takes the risk and puts up $30m a year to purchase the product to sell and train. Mark Walker is the first person to acknowledge that without the support of the people around him he wouldn't be in the position he is to accept the accolades he does on behalf of TEAM Te Akau. 2 Quote
TIME FOR CHANGE Posted Tuesday at 02:06 AM Posted Tuesday at 02:06 AM Do you not think that Sam Bergerson deserved his name as Co Trainer in a Group One race in Australia.......For the record I DO Quote
Chief Stipe Posted Tuesday at 02:24 AM Author Posted Tuesday at 02:24 AM 13 minutes ago, TIME FOR CHANGE said: Do you not think that Sam Bergerson deserved his name as Co Trainer in a Group One race in Australia.......For the record I DO Sam isn't registered in OZ. I imagine the horse was transferred to the Cranbourne stable because its next races will be in Australia. I doubt Sam is worried about it. 1 Quote
Freda Posted Tuesday at 02:58 AM Posted Tuesday at 02:58 AM I thought that might push your buttons. Team Rogerson is a registered training entity. Walker/Bergerson are also. Te Akau aren't. Quote
Chief Stipe Posted Tuesday at 08:46 PM Author Posted Tuesday at 08:46 PM 2 hours ago, Huey said: LMAO... get a load of old Super Fan Boy here! Are you care givers puttung vinegar on your cornflakes now? Quote
Chief Stipe Posted Tuesday at 08:49 PM Author Posted Tuesday at 08:49 PM 17 hours ago, Freda said: I thought that might push your buttons. Team Rogerson is a registered training entity. Walker/Bergerson are also. Te Akau aren't. Whar's your point? More to the point why do you feel the need to raise it? I doubt you'll answer either question. Quote
Freda Posted Tuesday at 10:31 PM Posted Tuesday at 10:31 PM 1 hour ago, Chief Stipe said: Whar's your point? More to the point why do you feel the need to raise it? I doubt you'll answer either question. I didn't raise it...go back to the head post and have a look. 2 Quote
Chief Stipe Posted Wednesday at 12:22 AM Author Posted Wednesday at 12:22 AM 1 hour ago, Freda said: I didn't raise it...go back to the head post and have a look. As I said "I doubt you would answer either question". What was YOUR point regardless of who raised it? Quote
curious Posted Wednesday at 02:01 AM Posted Wednesday at 02:01 AM Can someone explain what the unanswered quetions are?. I don't see any in the headpost? I'm probably game to have a crack them if I know what they are. Quote
Chief Stipe Posted Wednesday at 04:15 AM Author Posted Wednesday at 04:15 AM 2 hours ago, curious said: Can someone explain what the unanswered quetions are?. I don't see any in the headpost? I'm probably game to have a crack them if I know what they are. The questions were posed for Pam - however if you wish to be a delegate then fill your boots. Quote
curious Posted Wednesday at 04:38 AM Posted Wednesday at 04:38 AM OK. I'm a bit slow at the mo. Not travelling that great. What are the questions? Quote
Dark Beau Posted Wednesday at 09:33 AM Posted Wednesday at 09:33 AM What a strange conversation. I popped over for a look but I don't think that I'll last too long. 1 1 Quote
curious Posted Wednesday at 09:37 AM Posted Wednesday at 09:37 AM 3 minutes ago, Dark Beau said: What a strange conversation. I popped over for a look but I don't think that I'll last too long. Help me out if you can figure it out DB. I'm lost 1 Quote
curious Posted Wednesday at 05:18 PM Posted Wednesday at 05:18 PM 2 hours ago, Huey said: Its nothing special, just @Chief Stipe defending the Tangerine Army again ,though this time in a more completely pointless way than possibly all the other times he does. OK, so I shouldn't lose sleep over it? 2 Quote
Newmarket Posted Wednesday at 06:12 PM Posted Wednesday at 06:12 PM On 28/03/2026 at 5:54 PM, Chief Stipe said: Congratulations to Te Akau, the Archers and Belle Cheval for a very very good win in the 2026 Vinery Grp 1 at Rosehill. I said after the KiwiB that this filly had a lot of upside and probably more than Well Written. Good on you mate… your right again. Quote
hesi Posted Wednesday at 06:27 PM Posted Wednesday at 06:27 PM 14 minutes ago, Newmarket said: It always ends like this…. poor Chief loves the stable and posts whatever he can find….but if you challenge it, your in the bad books. Be good to hear posts about other stables, especially in Sth Island instead of this one…. A lot of the stuff comes from Facebook. TA and Wexford put a lot of effort into their FB pages, updating everyday and a post each race day with info on horses. From what I can see none of the other stables, SI included do this, but happy to be corrected Quote
Murray Fish Posted Wednesday at 06:31 PM Posted Wednesday at 06:31 PM 2 minutes ago, hesi said: From what I can see none of the other stables, SI included do this, but happy to be corrected Pitman Stables putout a FB post each race day. South Canterbury have a FB page and post each race meeting a horse from Timaru starts! 3 Quote
Newmarket Posted Wednesday at 07:03 PM Posted Wednesday at 07:03 PM 36 minutes ago, hesi said: A lot of the stuff comes from Facebook. TA and Wexford put a lot of effort into their FB pages, updating everyday and a post each race day with info on horses. From what I can see none of the other stables, SI included do this, but happy to be corrected Plenty have FB pages Quote
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