WHEN Nathan Xuereb climbed into the gig behind Bella Clare on Wednesday night it was with the hope of qualifying the mare for the final of the Bathurst Harness Racing Club's annual Soldiers Saddle series.
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He not only ticked that box, but guided Bella Clare to an all the way victory in her 1,730 meters heat.
"She was very unlucky in her latest campaign, in her last start she had a bit of a fall so we had to turn her out for a bit," Xuereb, who drives for his Londonderry-based trainer-father Michael Xuereb, said.
"I thought she was still a week short and needed this run tonight, but I said and Dad agreed, as long as she ran in the top five and qualified for next week we'd be happy.
"So today it was just a bonus that she was on the money."
Wednesday night's heat was the first start for the four-year-old mare since she struck trouble in a New South Wales Breeders Challenge Regional Qualifying Heat in July. She was severely checked soon after the green light was given and fell.
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Though the she has since recovered from the incident, Xeureb was not sure she would perform first up after five months. As it turns out, she performed impressively.
Going from barrier one as the $4.80 second elect, Bella Clare showed enough zip to hold the lead and once in front, the Art Major x Missflite mare stayed there.
She led by a neck with 800m to go, Xuereb being able to pinch comfortable sectionals of 30.1 and 31.4 seconds.
Bella Clare then kicked after turning for home, going on to win by 3.6m in a 1:58.8 mile rate.
The run should see her attract strong support for the December 13 final, but depending on the barrier draw, it is heat two winner Dazzle Me who is likely to hold favouritism.
The Barry Lew, Dubbo trained gelding was guided home along the sprint lane by John O'Shea to beat out $1.50 favourite Obi One by a half neck in a 1:56.9 mile rate.
