You'd be wasting your time asking John Bell how he came to own Saturday's $65,000 Taumarunui Gold Cup winner Gentil Tonton.
"I actually have no idea," Bell said yesterday as he celebrated a win he regards as the most satisfying of his career.
The Irish bred Gentil Tonton began his career in his homeland before being transferred to Hong Kong trainer Gary Moore. He remained in his Asian ownership when transferred to Waikato trainers Trevor and Martin Cruz.
From there he went to Lance O'Sullivan and Andrew Scott's Matamata stable before John Bell received a message from Hong Kong. "It said, Gentil Tonton to be transferred to John Bell. No explanation and I didn't ask any questions.
"I knew the horse from when Martin and Trevor had him here at Cambridge. I'd always admired him as a beautiful animal. He looks like a sprinter, but the work he was doing quickly showed he was a stayer." Gentil Tonton's film star looks were not matched by his temperament.