The return of star Perth-owned filly Sheeza Belter is imminent as she looks to be a force again this autumn carnival for Sydney co-trainers Peter and Paul Snowden.
The wait is nearly over for the multiple group winner who looks primed to come back after she completed her first trial hit out for the year at Rosehill last Friday.
The three-year-old ran second to Cross Talk in her 900m heat, but was kept under a good hold by jockey Josh Parr and went to the line full of running.
Managing part-owner Justin Warwick, a former top trainer in Perth, said he couldn’t be happier with Sheeza Belter’s progress ahead of her next campaign.
“She went great,” Warwick told The Races WA.
“She starts off in the Light Fingers (1200m) on February 11 at Randwick at Group 2.
“Then a fortnight after that is the Group 1 Surround Stakes (1400m) for three-year-old fillies.
“A fortnight following is the Coolmore Classic (1500m) at Rosehill.
“Now this is all dependent on Sydney not flooding again because she is limited on a wet track.
“Fingers crossed there, but Plan B is obviously Melbourne, races like The All Star Mile.
“I’m pretty sure the Snowden’s have the Doncaster in mind as well.
“But we will start off in the Group 2, that’s the easiest race to go into without too much of a penalty with her record.
“There are a lot of ifs and buts with weather, but that’s where we will start off.
“She looks fantastic and her trial was really good, everyone is really happy with her.
“We had little problems last preparation; you could call it bad luck.
“We didn’t get to the races very often and hopefully we can have a smooth preparation this time and see what we’ve got.”
Sheeza Belter commenced her racing life in Perth under the guidance of Luke Fernie, winning the Magic Millions 3YO Trophy (1200m) at Pinjarra.
Since joining the Snowden camp at the beginning of last year, she added three more additional races to her record in Brisbane and Sydney.
She won the Group 2 Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) and Group 1 JJ Atkins (1600m) at Eagle Farm respectively.
In the final race of her previous campaign last November, she scored by a half-length in the G2 Hot Danish Stakes (1400m).’
Warwick is hopeful there are further big wins in store for Sheeza Belter.
“We’re sorting of hoping we’ve only just scratched the surface,” Warwick said.
“She’s still developing and has just turned three.
“We’ve looked after her as much as she’s been in a fair few states already in her life.
“We’re hoping that there is more to come.”
Warwick confirmed William Pike will partner Sheeza Belter in the Light Fingers Stakes.
Julio Santarelli