17th May 2014, 10:19 AM
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Member
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Join Date: Jan 1970
Posts: 4,440
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Belle Couture I had mentioned previously was not happy within herself.
She's fighting against riders and handlers and doesn't look comfortable at all.
She's wearing a crossover noseband these days as has the inclination to over race. After her narrow defeat at Bendigo, she strode out at Caulfield to storm home for a convincing win.
After that performance, I began to question myself, but I think it's more Damien Oliver has found the key to getting her to settle and use the least energy.
Low and behold, she steps out at Flemington and this is what Winks had to say after finishing dead last:
Belle Couture – rider J Winks reported was fractious in the barriers, stumbled on jumping, was slow into stride and failed to travel throughout. A post race veterinary examination failed to reveal any abnormal findings.
Stewards have her on watch, maybe she has to trial.
Being fractious, slow out and stumbling would be it for a leader, but they planned to come home from back in the field, the fact she made zero ground tends to suggest she used up all her nervous energy just prior to the gates opening.
Is this going to be one of those sad stories of a horse with great potential, not being able to exhibit it on track because of lack of understanding.
She has a very long way to go to recoup the fortune they outlayed on her.
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