Bellarchi looking to strike while iron is hot at Pontefract

Bellarchi will seek to bring up her hat-trick at Pontefract before a trip to the Qatar Goodwood Festival following a first Listed success at Chester.

Grant Tuer’s admirable performer was winning for the 13th time when landing the Queen Charlotte Fillies’ Stakes, a first win in stakes company for both the five-year-old and her rider on the Roodee last Saturday, Joanna Mason, who was partnering the 48-race veteran for the first time.

It was in fact Bellarchi’s fourth win of 2026 after three previous wins at Musselburgh this term and she will now aim to strike again while the iron is hot in the Weatherbys Hamilton Pipalong Stakes on July 7, which could then lead to an outing in an even higher grade on the Sussex Downs on July 29.

“She’s been an absolute stalwart and a great servant and I knew she was up to winning at that level,” said Nick Bradley, managing director of owners Nick Bradley Racing.

“I had more confidence in her getting the win in that grade this year than previous years and her Musselburgh runs before that have been amazing. I’d had various form experts telling me to go back there a couple of weeks ago for a valuable race but she had a little wound which stopped her going.

“However, it worked out well and we went to Chester and she got the result. It was the first time Jo had ridden her and it was her first stakes winner as well, so I was delighted for her and everyone at Grant’s yard. She’s an awesome filly to own.

“We’re thinking of going for the Pipalong at Pontefract. Musselburgh is her favourite track and then Chester, but I’m hoping she’ll like and handle Pontefract. After that we can go to Goodwood for the Oak Tree and like most of mine, she’ll be busy!”