Racing: Unbeaten Dunedin filly Halobelle set to head north

Otago trainer Wayne Stevens is considering racing a horse in the North Island for the first time after his filly Halobelle took her unbeaten record to two at Riccarton on Saturday.

Halobelle downed the favourite Zeddane to win a $35,000 race over 1200m for three-year-olds after winning her debut by three lengths at Oamaru on July 1.

Stevens, who trains at Wingatui near Dunedin, said he would look at sending Halobelle north for the $50,000 Wanganui Fillies' Stakes (1200m) for three-year-old fillies at Wanganui on September 9.

"I'll have to speak with the other owners first," Stevens said. "We have got a bit of time before the race so we'll get her home and see how she does."

Stevens only renewed his trainer's licence about two years ago after being without a licence for about five years.

"I only muck around with my own ones and I had nothing around for a few years," he said.

The 46-year-old former jockey, who won 22 races on the flat and over jumps, races Halobelle in partnership with a syndicate that includes members of Dunedin's Southern Rugby Club.

Halobelle is raced on lease from the horse's breeder, Kelvin Fisher, who raced the good performer Star Gold from Stevens' stable.

Star Gold, retired from racing last season, won seven races.

Halobelle, by My Halo, was ridden on Saturday by Dunedin apprentice Andrea Porritt.

She was able to claim a 4kg allowance which reduced Halobelle's weight from 56kg to 52kg but it was nonetheless a game effort by the horse after sitting three and four wide in the lead most of the way.

Zeddane, a Danske colt having his first start, only went down by a long head but did not help his chances by hanging outwards in the home straight.

- NZPA