Fortuna’s BELLATRIX STAR featured again in a Te Akau Racing update of the 2024/25 Season

With the final month of the 2024/25 racing season over half complete, enjoy our black type review of the many highlights Te Akau owners and the team celebrated …

On a blockbuster night under lights at Moonee Valley, the brilliant Bellatrix Star (3 f Star Witness – Alana’s Party, by Exceed and Excel) delivered a dazzling performance to capture the A$200,000 Group 3 Ladbrokes Scarborough Stakes 1200m on 27 September.

Already a Listed winner after storming home to win the Cap D’Antibes Stakes over 1100m at Flemington on 14 September, this was Bellatrix Star’s first look at the unique Moonee Valley circuit – and she took to it with style and purpose.

In doing so, she followed in the mighty hoofprints of former stablemate and Horse of the Year Imperatriz (I Am Invincible), who also won first-up at The Valley and went on to dominate the venue, winning five races there – including four at Group 1 level. Imperatriz is the only horse to win the coveted Group 1 Sprint Triple Crown, and remained unbeaten at The Valley during her illustrations career.

Ridden with supreme poise by Kiwi jockey and former Te Akau apprentice Michael Dee, Bellatrix Star overcame barrier eight with ease, slotting in beautifully one off and one back. From the 400-metre mark, she was travelling sweetly, and on the turn, she let rip – launching with a powerful finish to take control at the 200m and surge clear.

On a Good4 surface, she stopped the clock at 1:10.4 for the 1200 metres and returned $10.20 & $2.60 on the NZ TAB tote.

“She was a brilliant winner tonight,” said trainer Mark Walker. “The ride was a perfect 10 out of 10 by Mick Dee, and she’s just continuing to go from strength to strength in Australia.”

Owned by the Fortuna Bellatrix Star Syndicate (Mgr: John Galvin), the filly was purchased for $80,000 by David Ellis CNZM and Galvin from Phoenix Park’s draft at the 2023 Karaka Book 1 Sale.

Her Group 3 win formed the centrepiece of a dazzling three-race streak that would culminate in victory in the Group 2 Schillaci Stakes (1100m), highlighting her rapid rise in class and talent.

With career earnings topping NZ$1 million, Bellatrix Star had firmly stamped herself as one of the most exciting sprinting fillies on the scene. Sadly, earlier this year, she sustained an injury in training and is now spelling in Victoria, enjoying a well-earned rest.