Racing: Bridie Belle poised to hit the jackpot

Bridie Belle has not paid a dividend in four starts this campaign, but in no way has she been disappointing.

The talented Cambridge mare will be out to prove that in tomorrow's $60,000 Gasmate Stakes at Te Rapa.

Co-trainer Chris Wood says Bridie Belle has improved in fitness since her last race, but even a straight repeat of that effort would be good enough to put her in front tomorrow.

Bridie Belle was the only mare to tackle a 1600m all-comers weight-for-age event at Ellerslie a couple of weeks back and finished a close-up fourth behind Sedecrem.

Against her own sex tomorrow, Bridie Belle is beautifully placed.

"We are very very happy with her. She's come on since Ellerslie and we feel she will be very hard to beat," said Wood.

Although she can operate on any surface, Bridie Belle is particularly strong on rain-affected footing and the showers predicted for today have attracted Wood's attention.

"The good thing about her is that she doesn't need rain, but we won't be disappointed if the track is affected."

Focal Point is making a decent leap in class, but she shows ability well above average.

She does not come in particularly well on level weights with the likes of Bridie Belle, but there was an awful lot to like about her last-start Ellerslie victory.

Rosetti Bay went so badly at Ellerslie last start that you are obliged to forget the run completely.

She generally hits the line strongly, but was struggling to hold her place for the entire home straight.