Cover image courtesy of Georgia Young Photography
Helldeeva another smart one for Hellbent
Helldeeva (Hellbent) delivered on the promise she had shown behind the scenes when she charged home to take out the 2-year-old Fillies Handicap at Warwick Farm in stylish fashion for trainer Peter Snowden and jockey Tom Sherry.
Having been given time to mature following two disappointing runs earlier in her career, albeit in the Listed Lonhro Plate behind Agrarian Girl (Tassort) and at super maiden level at Newcastle, the filly returned a more furnished prospect and showed exactly why her stable had maintained confidence in her ability.
Coral (Home Affairs) rolled forward from the inside gate for Tommy Berry, while Demerzel (Ole Kirk) sat outside the leader. Excelluna (Exceed And Excel) was forced to work from a wide draw and raced on speed without cover for Jason Collett.
The genuine tempo ensured the race would suit those settling off the pace and that proved the case in the straight. Favourite Krasina (Russian Revolution) loomed ominously at the 150-metre mark and looked the likely winner, but Sherry had Helldeeva building momentum wider out and the filly surged late to nail Krasina on the line.
The Chris Waller-trained Explosive Express (NZ) (Staphanos {Jpn}) also caught the eye in third and shapes as a staying 3-year-old filly in the making, being a half-sister to G1 Australian Derby and South Australian Derby winner Explosive Jack (NZ) (Jakkalberry {Ire}).
Trainer Peter Snowden was delighted to see Helldeeva reproduce her track work ability on raceday.
Helldeeva winning at Warwick Farm | Image courtesy of Georgia Young Photography
“It's been a little disappointing because she's always shown us a fair bit at home, but the two races last time, she drew badly both times and got back and was just plain,” said Snowden.
“I thought to myself, she’s better than that, so I tipped her out and she developed quite a bit.
“It's good to see her (Helldeeva) do that today, because we always thought that sort of ability was in her.” - Peter Snowden
“It's good to see her do that today, because we always thought that sort of ability was in her.”
Sherry was equally pleased with the filly's attitude and believes there is more improvement to come.
Peter Snowden | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
“Her trials were always really good and then she didn't have a whole lot of luck on the first two starts,” Sherry said.
“We employed winkers on her today and she had a lovely run behind the favourite and what I did like was the more I asked of her, the more she gave.”
Sales info: Helldeeva was purchased by Snowden Racing for $130,000 from the Yarraman Park Stud draft at the 2025 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale.
Helldeeva as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Pedigree info: Helldeeva is the fourth live foal out of the talented race mare Dendee (Denman), who was a nine-time winner from 1100 metres to 1600 metres and among those wins was the Listed Sheila Gwynne Classic.
She has now left three winners, with the best of them being the dual-winner Embassy - Master Champion (H.K.) (I Am Invincible) who has also been a three-time Listed placegetter and ran fourth in the G2 Silver Slipper Stakes.
This is the extended family of the G1 Vinery Stud Stakes winner Montoya’s Secret (High Chaparral {Ire}) and the G3 City Of Auckland Cup winner Delago’s Secret (Encosta De Lago).
Connections of Helldeeva after winning at Warwick Farm | Image courtesy of Georgia Young Photography
In recent times, Dendee has left an I Am Invincible yearling filly that sold to Bennett Racing for $260,000 at this year's Inglis Classic Yearling Sale, and was served by Coolmore Stud’s exciting Home Affairs last September.
Miss Lola gets a deserved win at Sandown
After threatening to break through on several occasions, Miss Lola (Blue Point {Ire}) finally shed her maiden status with a commanding victory over 1200 metres at Sandown Lakeside for trainer Chris Waller and jockey Ben Melham.
Despite drawing awkwardly, Melham took the initiative and allowed Miss Lola to work across and find the lead. Serene Defense (National Defense {GB}) settled outside the leader, while Tagamate (Tagaloa) enjoyed a cosy run. Sonic Surge (Zoustar), one of the fancied runners, was caught wide without cover and faced a difficult task.
Miss Lola travelled strongly throughout and kicked clear in the straight, scoring by an increasing one-and-a-half lengths at her ninth start. It was a richly deserved breakthrough after recording five placings prior to Wednesday's success.
Pray Tell (Toronado {Ire}) charged home late out wide to finish second, while Tagamate battled on well for third after enjoying the run of the race.
Melham felt the conditions played to her strengths.
“She is a good wet tracker I think, she had the benefit of a run under her belt, which was a narrow defeat and they cleared out on the rest.
“She (Miss Lola) is a good wet tracker I think, she had the benefit of a run under her belt, which was a narrow defeat and they cleared out on the rest.” - Ben Melham
“Coming here today, I feel like the wet ground is probably to her advantage, she is well bred and it was good to see her tick off her maiden in the city.
“I was happy to put her on speed from the awkward gate and bank on her being too good for them, and that she was.”
Ben Melham | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
Sales info: Miss Lola was purchased for $480,000 by Chris Waller Racing and Mulcaster Bloodstock from the Yarraman Park Stud draft at the 2024 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale.
Pedigree info: Miss Lola is the fifth foal out of Reemah (Redoute’s Choice), a winner over 1200 metres and who showed her class placing in the G1 Blue Diamond Stakes as a 2-year-old.
She has now left four individual winners from only four to race, with the best of them being the three-time winner Demebi (Lonhro).
Miss Lola as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Miss Lola’s grandam Vormista (Testa Rossa) was a Group 2 winner on the track and also placed in the G1 Manikato Stakes, G1 BTC Cup and the G1 Australia Stakes, she then went onto leave nine individual winners.
In recent years, Reemah has left a 2-year-old filly named Amble (I Am Invincible), a weanling filly by I Am Invincible, and last season was served by I Am Invincible’s son Hellbent.
Vallice still has plenty to learn but talent is evident
The Ciaron Maher-trained 2-year-old colt Vallice (Maurice {Jpn}) opened a winning double for the stable and apprentice jockey Jabez Johnstone when breaking through in impressive style at Sandown, having previously ran a solid fifth on debut at Donald.
The good-looking colt began cleanly before Satono’s Shout (NZ) (Satono Aladdin {Jpn}) assumed control for Ben Melham. Meness (Ghaiyyath {Ire}) raced outside the leader, while Johnstone settled Vallice in the trail.
Gallantry (Brave Smash {Jpn}) added pressure to the race before the home turn off the sedate tempo set and the contest quickly developed into a competitive affair.
Meness looked the likely winner at one stage, but Vallice burst through between runners before showing determination to hold his rivals at bay. He defeated Meness by a length, with Satono’s Shout and Gallantry close-up in third and fourth respectively.
A protest lodged by the connections of Gallantry was subsequently dismissed.
Ciaron Maher's stable representative Jack Turnbull believes there is plenty of upside to come.
“He has always shown a bit and we believe he will get up over a trip in time as well.
“He (Vallice) has always shown a bit and we believe he will get up over a trip in time as well.” - Jack Turnbull
“It didn’t work out for him throughout, he was on the bit and over travelling at times off a sedate tempo, but it was good to see him quicken off that.
“We thought his first up run held plenty of merit, albeit he ran fifth on paper, he has clearly backed that up today.”
Jack Turnbull | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
“Being the mould he is and the pedigree he has, he could need a breather before we look at better races in the spring.”
Sales info: Vallice was purchased for $200,000 by Ciaron Maher Bloodstock out of the Aristia Park draft at the 2025 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale.
Pedigree info: Gallice is out of the placed mare Moselle Valley (Ger) (Guillani {Ire}). Moselle Valley is very well-bred being a full-sister to the Group 3 winner Mountaha (Ger) (Guillani {Ire}) and a three-quarter-sister to the G1 Doomben Cup winner Mawingo (Ger).
Vallice as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Another family member is the Listed Warrnambool Cup winner Mystery Island (Jpn) (Victoire Pisa {Jpn}).
Moselle Valley, since producing Vallice, has missed to In The Congo and was served by Schwarz last spring.
La Barrita shows her class at Doomben
Promising juvenile La Barrita (St Mark’s Basilica {Fr}) continued to advertise her potential when defeating older horses at Doomben, an achievement that is never easy for an inexperienced 2-year-old.
Prepared by Tony and Calvin McEvoy, the grey filly was having just her third start and bounced back from a sixth placing behind I Am Dirty (I Am Invincible) in the Listed Bill Carter Stakes.
Bottles Of Shells (Wootton Bassett {GB}) set a strong tempo in front under Ryan Maloney, with Lights Will Guide (Russian Camelot {Ire}) racing on the outside. Ben Thompson had La Barrita ideally placed in fourth with cover.
The leader kicked strongly turning for home, but Thompson had travelled comfortably throughout and, once asked for an effort, La Barrita quickly put the race beyond doubt.
Arctic Bright (NZ) (Per Incanto {USA}) finished strongly along the rail for second, while Had It All (Zoustar) filled third.
Sales info: La Barrita was purchased for $260,000 by McEvoy Mitchell Racing and Belmont Bloodstock Agency (FBAA) from the Segenhoe Stud draft at the 2025 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
La Barrita as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Pedigree info: La Barrita is the second foal out of Cabarita (Redoute’s Choice), who was a winner over 1600 metres.
La Barrita’s grandam Avenue (Anabaa {USA}) was a winner at Group 3 level four times and Listed level three times and was also placed in the G1 Oakleigh Plate. Avenue is a full-sister to the flying grey sprinter Virage De Fortune (Anabaa {USA}) who was a dual Group 1 winner.
This is also the family of the G1 Flight Stakes winner Apocalyptic (Extreme Choice) and her Group 3 winning full brother Hidrix (Extreme Choice).
In recent times, Cabarita has produced a yearling filly by Dundeel (NZ), a weanling filly by Tassort, and was most recently served by City Of Troy (USA) in late November.
