Racing: Lone filly can upstage males over marathon trip in St Leger

The stoutly-bred Bellabaci could make it two straight for the fillies in today's VRC St Leger at Flemington after Inkster and Moment In Time dead-heated in last year's listed race.

The daughter of Zabeel is the only filly in the 11-horse field but her lead-up form suggests she is good enough to upset the colts and geldings, including Kiwi hope Bakup.

Out of the Sound Reason mare Sound Lover, Bellabaci is a sister to Philosophe who won the 2005 Chairman's Handicap at Randwick before running third in the Sydney Cup. She should handle the 2800m distance.

"She's the most lightly raced of my three [in St Leger]. She's going to be a really nice stayer later," trainer Danny O'Brien said.

Bellabaci will be ridden by Stephen Baster who had the ride when she finished a half-length second to the Bart Cummings-trained Precedence in the Galilee Series Final (2390m) at Caulfield on April 11.

Bellabaci and Bakup are rated at A$6.50 behind Buffett (A$3.60) and Precedence (A$5.50).

- AAP