Smart New Zealand-bred mare Divinia Bellezza ran an impressive trial for the Etch Coatings Handicap, a stand over 2503m at Gloucester Park on Friday night, when she outclassed her rivals in a 2536m mobile event on Tuesday evening.
The Greg and Skye Bond-trained five-year-old, driven by Ryan Warwick, began speedily from barrier two and was not extended in leading throughout to win by more than three lengths from Macz Brother. She coasted to the line and was not extended after dashing over the final 400m sections in 28.8sec. and 27.2sec.
One of Divinia Bellezza’s chief rivals is likely to be her stablemate Rebel With A Grin, who will start from the No. 2 barrier on the front line, with Divinia Bellezza at barrier four.
Rebel With A Grin began speedily from the 10m mark and was unsuccessful in an early bid for the lead. He then raced without cover before fading to last behind the classy Forgotten Highway. Rebel With A Grin had won at three of his five previous starts.
Disco Under Fire, who set the pace and fought on grimly when second to Forgotten Highway, has bright prospects in the opening event, the 2130m Cowden The Insurance Brokers Pace, on Friday night.
The Giles Inwood-trained pacer will again be handled by Gary Hall Jnr and will start from barrier four in a field with little recent form displayed by most of the runners.
Our Perkins, to start from the No. 3 barrier and to be driven by Dylan Egerton-Green, has been unplaced at his past five starts, but has bright prospects of leading and proving hard to beat.
