From 9 starts, Belle Et Riche is yet to miss a placing and added a well-deserved third career victory at Flemington on January 14. 
Freedman’s mare has been in fantastic form since kicking off her campaign on Ballarat Cup Day but unfortunately has had to contend with some wide barrier draws and difficult luck in running. Fortunately, Belle Et Riche is very versatile and can be ridden to suit each scenario, each time giving her all, making her owners and the stable proud. Finally on Saturday, the ‘barrier gods’ were on our side, and from gate 3 she settled one out one back with Jordan Childs riding with timing to perfection.
Childs said post-race the intention was “to be positive out of the gates, have an uninterrupted run from the one-one position and the horse was able to do the rest,” glowing in praise for Freedman and his promising mare. As Belle Et Riche improves her rating, the calendar really opens up for her, with Freedman considering some lofty ambitions with the mare noting “she could be the fit horse in a 1300/1400m stakes race in the Autumn, whether that be in Victoria or Tasmania.”
Freedman has started the 2023 in great form, with Belle Et Riche his second metro winner of 2023 as the team marches forward for an exciting second-half of the season. Congratulations to Rod Groves and his ownership group on a fantastic victory. Also a special congratulations to Allira, who strapped her first winner at Flemington.
