Ken Casellas | Photo: PACEPIX
Star Collie reinsman Trent Wheeler completed his first treble at Gloucester Park on Friday night when he drove exciting filly Wishing Belle to a fighting victory in the $50,000 Champagne Classic.
Wishing Belle, trained by Aiden De Campo, continued the splendid record for the De Campo family in this prestigious event, following the wins of Perene Maverick (1988), Patmos (1990), Pawnee Gold (1995), Nowuseemenowudont (2000), Lord Titanium (2022) and Tricky Styx (2014).
Perene Maverick and Patmos were trained by the late Ray De Campo and were driven by his son Andrew, who trained and drove Pawnee Gold and Nowuseemenowudont. Andrew’s brother Steve then prepared Lord Titanium for his win, and Aiden drove the Jess Moore-trained Tricky Styx for her win.
Wishing Belle, the $1.40 favourite from the outside barrier in the field of five, proved the master of her male rivals by beating the pacemaker Chugach ($3.10) by one metre, rating 1.56.4 which bettered the race record rate of 1.56.9 set by Jaspervellabeach in 2019.
This followed the success of Reinette, driven by Wheeler, when she won the Champagne Classic 2024, beating the other six colts and geldings in the race.
The 40-year-old Wheeler, whose other winners on Friday night were Reinette (race one) and Menemsha (race three), abandoned his plans to lead when Chugach, driven by Deni Roberts, withstood Wishing Belle’s early challenge.
After a solid opening quarter of 29.7sec. Chugach slackened the pace and the second 400m section went by in a leisurely 31.2sec.
“We wanted to run the gate,” said Wheeler. “But when we were held out, we took the sit and got a good breather, and after a slow second quarter I decided to come off the pegs and sit on the outside of the leader. I was a little bit worried when she crab-walked around the corner. But when she straightened, she really let down.”
The final quarters were run swiftly in 28.6sec. and 27.8sec., and Wishing belle showed her class when she took the lead 50m from the post.
Aiden De Campo was delighted with Wishing belle’s performance, saying: “She’s a ripper and a perfect two-year-old. She’s lazy but as soon as you ask her (for an effort) she keeps giving. There’s no bottom to her. She will go to the paddock now and come back for the Diamond Classic in the winter.”
Wishing Belle is by Bettors Wish and is out of former star mare Libertybelle Midfrew. She has had four starts for three wins, one second and $77,219.
Chugach went into the race unbeaten after wins at Pinjarra and Gloucester Park, looks set to develop into a smart performer.
“I was really happy with the way Chugach went,” said Roberts. “He hasn’t done anything like that before. He has gone four seconds quicker than he has ever gone. This was the first time he has run the gate. I had a good chance to beat Wishing Belle, a proven filly, but the better horse won on the day.
“I think Chugach will take a lot of benefit from that performance. He has a lot of growing to do.”
Wheeler did not rest on his laurels after his Gloucester Park treble. He travelled to Bridgetown on Sunday where he landed a double with Funky Music ($10.20) and By Royal Command ($3.70).