BEL'S CENTRA TOPS NATIONAL DAY 2

Bel Esprit’s stakeswinning mare, Belcentra, grabbed the headlines on the Gold Coast yesterday (Friday), topping the second session of the National Broodmare sale when knocked down to Darley for $500,000.

Purchased by Slade Bloodstock for $50,000 at the 2006 Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale, Belcentra ran second to subsequent Group One winner Camarilla at her second start, in the Blue Diamond Prelude-G3, and at three, ran third to Gamble Me in the Thoroughbred Club Stakes-G3.

But it was her next outing that made everyone sit up and take notice when she blitzed rivals to win the VRC Lexus Stakes-LR by six lengths at Flemington on Melbourne Cup day.

Retired to stud last spring, she was covered by Exceed And Excel.

Out of the Centaine mare Centra Rainbeam, a three quarter sister in blood to mutiple stakeswinner Fleur de Chine, this is also the family of Group One winners Roman Emperor (Australian Derby), Tully Thunder and USA miler Black Mamba.