Forest View Farm’s homebred mare Belta Of A Song took 10 starts to win her maiden but yesterday’s victory in the Liquor Barons Hcp (1600m) at Ascot made it 5 wins in her last 9 outings for south-west trainer Brendon Fitz-Gerald.
Belta Of A Song (7m Your Song – Democrat by Octagonal) has a mind of her own although she was on her best behaviour for first-time jockey Fred Kersley. “Willie Pike told me to be positive and I took her as I found her. She didn’t put a foot wrong in the parade ring and gave me a good feel on the way to the barriers.
“It was a genuine tempo and being such a a big girl, I was able to hold my line around the corner.”
Belta Of A Song relished the mile to run out a three-quarter length winner over short-priced favourite Territory Man (Territories) and now she’s on another hat-trick following a last-start win at Bunbury. The first was at Northam, Belmont & Bunbury in October-November 2024.
“She’s had issues but my wife Nikki does a huge job and Forest View’s Jo Duncan is always supporting us and promoting our business,” Forrest Beach-based Fitz-Gerald said. “I was worried when she was a bit too quiet before the race. She can get a bit stirred up but thanks to the barrier boys who loaded her late. And to Fred for a very good ride.
“Belta Of A Song has ability and we don’t want to push her too much. It’s getting towards the end of her racing career and she will tell us when it’s time to retire.”
Fred Kersley takes a hold as Belta Of A Song carries the Forest View brand to victory on New Year’s Day / Photo: Western Racepix
Forest View Farm owners Ben and Jo Duncan bred and race her and their other winners in the week leading up to Xmas included Set Me Loose (Hanseatic) at Yarra Valley and Mangifera (War Chant) at Pinjarra. Forest View team member Imogen Freeman also received the TBWA Newcomer Award on Platinum Day at Ascot.
And it would remiss of us not to mention Filthy Habits (I’m All The Talk) who did best of the locals when runner-up to Lindsay Park raider Apulia (Fiorente) in the G2 Perth Cup (2400m) yesterday. Ben pinhooked him as an August yearling for $25,000 at the 2020 Mungrup Stud Dispersal Sale and the Duncans stayed in a Justin Warwick-managed partnership when he made $80,000 at the 2021 Perth Magic Millions.
Filthy Habits banked another $181,000 in consolation Perth Cup prizemoney to take his career earnings to $764,000 including Westspeed bonuses of $88,700.
Forest View has entered 9 yearlings for the Perth Magic Millions Sale in February and the standout pedigree is the Playing God half-sister to multiple Group 2 winning millionaire mare Super Smink (Lot 80).
Early reports from the farm indicate the half-brother to G3 Gimcrack Stakes winner Siren Assault (Lot 61) from the first southern crop of G1 Cox Plate (2040m) winner State Of Rest (Ire) will be one of the standouts on type.
