By MIKE DILLON
Graeme Rogerson owes Denise Howell a raise in salary.
The long-time Rogerson employee missed seeing her filly La Bella Dama win Boxing Day's Eight Carat Classic and yesterday she missed seeing her winning the $50,000 Glenmorgan Royal Stakes.
"Denise was at the office at home on the first day, and she couldn't be here today because she is selling shares in a Grosvenor filly we're syndicating," said Rogerson.
Denise Howell's co-owning sister Christine returned to her job as Rogerson's racing secretary for his Dubai stable and also could not be on course.
But Christine may get to see a lot more of La Bella Dama - Rogerson is considering taking the filly to race in Dubai.
"She's already got an all-expenses paid trip to theDubai Derby on March 24," said Rogerson.
"She can also run in the Dubai Oaks on April 14, but she won't be going anywhere until she runs in the Oaks at Trentham. If she wins that I'd say she'll have enough points to win the Filly Of The Year series. That's our aim."
It was a game performance by La Bella Dama, who had to sprint hard in the home straight.
La Bella Dama's form suggests she produces her best on easy or soft footing, but rider Gary Grylls said the filly is able to produce her best provided the footing is not rock hard.
It was Grylls' 997th win.
"Overall her form is good because she was a long way off her form in the Avondale Guineas.
"She was really mad that day. You can't tell when she's in season and she could well have been that day.
"She's a filly with a terrific sprint and it suited today because it was a bit of a sprint home."
La Bella Dama beat the 1000 Guineas winner Elevenses with Danasia just edging Tangara and Singalong out of third.
Jockey Lance O'Sullivan had no excuse for the failure of the favourite, Diamond Cashel, who trailed the leader but weakened to beat only two home.
"She may need really firm ground, but the track wasn't that bad that you could offer it as an excuse."
Racing: Dubai sojourn likely for smart filly
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