It was a red letter day for Eliza Park at Morphettville on Saturday (21 March) when two of its graduates won both of the program’s Group One events.

The outstanding filly, GALLICA, got the ball rolling with a romp in the Schweppes Australasian Oaks, while home bred, BEL MER followed up some 40 minutes later with an emphatic victory in the Robert Sangster Stakes.

This bonny pair are both trained by Caulfield mentor, Mick Price, whose own ‘form’ over the past few seasons must surely rank him as one of the industry’s finest craftsmen.

Importantly, the Group One whitewash is the most appropriate illustration of the services provided by Eliza Park with Bel Mer foaled, raised and sold by the stud, while Gallica provides a glowing testimonial to the professionalism of the breaking in and pre-training division.

This was the second Group One for Gallica who had previously taken out the Thousand Guineas at Caulfield last October.

Purchasing the daughter of Redoute’s Choice for $250,000 at the 2007 Gold Coast Magic Millions, Mick sent the filly to Eliza Park to be broken in, returning for two pre-training stints before being given a lengthy spring break at our Berrigan property.

Amazingly, Gallica progressed from a Bairnsdale Maiden victory last August to Group One success just 51 days later, winning the Edward Manifold Stakes-G2 on the way.

Resuming at the end of January, Gallica was second in the Armanasco-G2 on 21 February and won the Kewney Stakes-G2 (7 March) prior to her scorcher in the Oaks where she easily defeated her 13 rivals.

Bel Mer capturing the Robert Sangster was a victory on a number of fronts too.

The win provided Bel Esprit with his first Group One success as a sire: due recognition for this outstanding stallion who captured the Victorian Sires’ Premiership last season with only two crops of racing age and is a constant source of winners (Bel Mer was win No. 100 for Bel Esprit’s first crop).

Foaled down and raised at Eliza Park, Bel Mer was sold at the 2006 Gold Coast Magic Millions for $110,000 while, a year on, her full brother (also prepared by Eliza) was knocked for $130,000.

A favourite of Mick's, Bel Mer was stepping out for the first time in over four months at Morphettville, but showed no signs of rust, dusting off her rivals with a relaxed performance.

Now the winner of 4 races - all at stakes level - Bel Mer won the Heath-LR at Caulfield at the end of August following a 20 week break and, like many of the Bel Esprits, simply continues to improve with age.

It's important to note that the Robert Sangster - over 1200m at weight for age - is one of the most prestigious fillies and mares events in the country and is just reward for this consistent daughter of Bel Esprit.

Somewhat fittingly, Bel Mer’s ‘little’ brother – now named Mooring – won convincingly in Singapore on Friday night (20 March), his second win from three starts at Kranji for trainer Michael Freedman.

Word is that the 2YO half sister (by Danbird) – Super Swell – is progressing very nicely with trainer Robbie Griffiths, while Eliza Park sold a yearling full brother to Bel Mer and Mooring at this year’s Gold Coast Magic Millions for $260,000.

Our heartiest congratulations to Ariel Arnott, the breeder of both Bel Mer and Mooring.

Although the year is less than 3 months old, it's certainly shaping as a landmark for the stud and the season ahead - boosted by the recent acquisition of Statue of Liberty - heralds another exciting era for Eliza Park.

BEL MER

GALLICA

Photos by Bruno Cannatelli