Waugh confident talented Bellenth can return in style

Wyong trainer Kim Waugh will make the trip to Newcastle on Tuesday where she has two leading contenders set to go around.

Waugh will have the talented Bellenth resuming from a spell in the Ascend Trophies Midway Class 1 Handicap (1250m) with Jay Ford taking the ride, while debut winner Balmain Darling will line up in the Hunter Thoroughbred Breeders Benchmark 64 Handicap (900m) with jockey Donovan Dillon in the saddle.

Bellenth has not raced since following a second at Canterbury on April 30 with a sixth at Gosford when beaten by about three lengths.

“He’s a nice horse by Hellbent, and he’s shown us his share of ability in his seven-start career,” Waugh said. “He was a maiden winner at Wyong at his second start, and he’s had three placings as well. Jay has been on him in most of his races, so he knows him well.

“We’ve given him two trials to prepare for his return, and he won the latest of them at Gosford. He looks primed to run well.”

Balmain Darling is a filly by Territories that had looked good in two trials before making her debut at
Newcastle on August 9 and scoring a strong win over 900m with Dillon aboard.

“Balmain Darling is a promising filly,” Waugh said. “She showed us plenty in her trials before her first start, and she did the job well to win when hitting the line well earlier in the month.

“Donovan got the job done on her at her only start and he will stick with her. She’s shown she can handle the wet and should get a good run from the inside gate.”