Australia: Bella Nipotina looks to rebound from close losses in Tiara Stakes

Bella Nipotina, the 6-year-old Australian sprint mare, is less than a length from holding a three-race winning streak in Group 1 races in the last six weeks.

After a win in the Group 1 Doomben 10,000 at six furlongs at Doomben Racecourse on May 18, Bella Nipotina was beaten less than a half-length in the Kingsford-Smith Cup at 6 1/2 furlongs at Eagle Farm on June 1, and by a neck in the Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap at seven furlongs at Eagle Farm on June 15.

Those close finishes have left Bella Nipotina as the 8-5 favorite for the Group 1 Tattersall’s Tiara Stakes for fillies and mares at seven furlongs at Eagle Farm on Friday evening.

:: Get free past performances, analysis, and picks for Australian racing

Similar to the Stradbroke Handicap, Bella Nipotina has drawn an outside post in a big field, and will need a measure of racing luck to win for the ninth time in her 52nd start.

Trained by Ciaron Maher, Bella Nipotina closed from seventh of 18 in the Stradbroke Handicap to miss catching Stefi Magnetica, who was 12-1 in American pools. Bella Nipotina was 6-1 and was ridden by Craig Williams.

In the Tattersall’s Tiara, Ryan Maloney will have the mount for the first time. Williams, who has not ridden since June 15, recently embarked on his fifth trip to Ukraine to deliver aid to the war-torn country. His wife, Larysa, is from Ukraine.

The Tattersall’s Tiara will have a maximum field of 17. While Bella Nipotina is a threat from off the pace, the 4-year-old filly C’est Magique is likely to race closer to the front. A winner of 2 of 14 starts, C’est Magique won the Group 2 Dane Ripper Stakes at 6 1/2 furlongs for fillies and mares at Eagle Farm on June 15, her first stakes win.

As of Thursday, Bella Nipotina was 6-5, down from 8-5 on Wednesday, while C’est Magique was 6-1, the only other filly or mare with single-digit odds.

The Tattersall’s Tiara is part of a nine-race program that begins at 9:43 p.m. Eastern or 6:43 p.m. Pacific. Wagering is available through DRFBets.com.

:: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.