Bell tolls for 2012 Stradbroke

Belltone was labelled a future Stradbroke Handicap contender after an explosive victory in the Padua College Hcp (1350m) at Doomben on Saturday.

Belltone (6g Brahms – Belle Salieri by Salieri) was backing-up seven days after a similar win over 1400m at Eagle Farm.  With Chris Munce aboard, he cruised to a three length win over Carry Me Bluey (Carry The Flag) and Narcelo (Falvelon).

Trainer Kelso Wood has worked wonders with Belltone this year.  The gelding was a 12 start maiden before joining Wood’s stable and since then has won five from six.  His only defeat was a lip loss to in-form sprinter Solzhenitsyn (St. Petersburg) a month ago.

“He’s done a great job and we will get him ready for the summer series,” Wood said.  “I think could be a Stradbroke horse next year.”

Munce backed Wood’s high assessment of Belltone.  “I’ve always liked this horse and the day he got beaten by Solzhenitsyn he had a few things go against him.  When I first got on him, I told Kelso he would go straight through the grades.”

Belltone is from the final Australian crop of Brahms.  He retired to Vinery in Kentucky and, after shuttling south for three seasons, was transferred to Elite Thoroughbreds in Louisiana.

Belltone was bred by Jack O’Hagan and is a half-brother to LR Qld Tatt’s Mile winner Roman Squire (Desert King) as well as Brisbane winners Miss Courtly (Twining) and Miss Orielle (Oratorio).

O’Hagan’s mare Belle Salieri has a 2yo filly by Dylan Thomas and a yearling filly by Duke of Marmalade.

Wood will send Belltone for a spell before coming back for the Summer Triple Crown which comprises the G3 George Moore Stakes. LR Doomben Stakes & LR Bernborough Handicap.