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Royal Academy (USA) - Bespoken
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Bel Esprit went into the 2002 Golden Slipper as the unbeaten hot favourite. A last start winner of the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes, he was yet another fairytale find, selling for only $9,000 as a yearling, and providing Melbourne trainer John Symons his first group 1 winner. Bel Esprit was ridden throughout his 6 starts by veteran jockey Wayne "Smokey" Treloar. He was banned from racing temporarily after proving unruly behind the barriers in the Blue Diamond Prelude and the Blue Diamond, but was on his best behaviour for the Slipper with the use of a stallion chain. Although he drew barrier 1, he did not show his customary acceleration out of the barriers, and was struggling throughout in the Slipper, and only battled away to finish 5th. He was then turned out for a spell, and I think he should make a lovely three year old. He is part owned by Essendon coach Kevin Sheedy. |
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