Lindsay Park filly Croatian Belle will have two things in her favour when she heads to Bendigo on Saturday.
The Ben and J D Hayes-trained filly will have race experience on her side and more importantly is the only multiple winner entered for the VOBIS Gold Rush (1000m).
The VOBIS Gold Rush is one of the feature races on the Bendigo card that will also see the Listed Golden Mile (1600m) and the Listed Bendigo Guineas (1400m).
Croatian Belle is one of 19 two-year-olds entered for the VOBIS Gold Rush, of which only six juveniles have raced previously.
Only Shesallshenanigans is the only other winner that has been entered while Croatian Belle is a multiple winner with both her victories coming at Moonee Valley.
Croatian Belle started her career with a 1000m win on December 16 before winning again over 1000m on December 31.
She headed north to Queensland for the Magic Millions 2YO Classic (1200m) at the Gold Coast the following month, finishing ninth to Skirt The Law.
A $130,000 purchase at last year’s Magic Millions Yearling Sale, Croatian Belle has already collected $253,333 in prize money, which includes $117,833 in bonuses.
Croatian Belle will race for $250,000 in prize money on Saturday and another $30,000 VOBIS bonuses.
Ben Hayes said Croatian Belle had pleased in her work ahead of Saturday’s contest while the filly’s ultimate goal for the campaign is the $1 million The Showdown (1200m) at Sandown on April 15.
“She’s heading to The Showdown,” Hayes said.
“She’s had two trials, won both of them by four lengths, so I think she’s going well.
“Saturday’s race is over the 1000 metres, which I think is ideal for her.”
The Showdown was first run in 2019 and only inaugural winner Prince Of Sussex, who now races as Lucky Express in Hong Kong, has taken out the VOBIS Gold Rush in the lead-up to the richer race two weeks later.