By MIKE DILLON
It's a long way from Dubai to Ellerslie but not far enough to stop Graeme Rogerson being here to see La Bella Dama take yesterday's $100,000 Eight Carat Classic with value runner La Bella Dama.
"I won the big $A150,000 race in Dubai on Thursday night," said Rogerson as he acepted congratulations after La Bella Dama ran down the joint favourite Star Satire in the last 150m.
Rogerson's Dubai winner was Flight Pattern, who won eight races in Melbourne before being bought for Dubai.
La Belle Dama went only a fair race when eighth in the Avondale Guineas last start, but was helped yesterday by a track which, while rated firm, had enough give in it to suit her.
Hobby Rotorua breeder Charles Sturt rated the win the thrill of his involvement in racing.
"I bought this filly for $900 as a weanling and sold her to Graeme Rogerson at the yearling sales for $17,000."
That was not Sturt's only luck. Ten minutes after the Rogerson sale he spent some of the proceeds by outlaying $6500 for a Stark South filly Flint Star, who finished third in the 1000 Guineas and was sold to Gai Waterhouse's Sydney stable last week.
Star Satire helped beat herself with her good fortune, enjoying a perfect trail behind St Therese.
Her rider Leith Innes would have liked to have waited until well into the home straight to make his bid, but a gap opened up inside St Therese early in the home straight and knowing St Therese's rider Grant Cooksley was not one to leave a gap for too long, he had no choice but to take it.
Star Satire sprinted quickly to the lead - almost too quickly.
It left her vulnerable to the late sprint by La Bella Dama, who bettered her with 100m to run.
"She can go for a freshen up now," said trainer Ross Taylor of Star Satire.
"She has done a great job this campaign and she's earned a break."
Taylor will prepare Star Satire for the group one double of the Waikato Draught Sprint at Te Rapa and the Auto Auctions weight-for-age at Otaki in February.
Rogerson races La Bella Dama with two of his racing secretaries Denise and Christine Howell and Don McIlraith.
Racing: Filly continues big race roll for globe trotting Rogerson
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