Fernie’s fearsome four-legged friends frighten opposition with foreshadowing frenzy at Belmont trials

Fresh off a metropolitan double and claiming Saturday’s headline race, trainer Luke Fernie unveiled his stable stars at Belmont trials on Monday morning and they didn’t disappoint. First, Fernie stepped out mares Laced Up Heels and Wild Belle, who raced forward to sit in second and third behind the talented Mood Swings. Rounding the corner, Laced Up Heels moved to conquer Mood Swings, but an inside seam appeared for Jade McNaught and Wild Belle, who dashed to quickly seize the lead pair. Once shaken up by Chris Parnham, Laced Up Heels rallied strong to re-press Wild Belle, but McNaught’s mount held a half-head margin on the line. Fernie was delighted with the progress of the class mares, who are both Listed winners. “We didn’t knock Wild Belle around and Jade said she felt comfortable,” Fernie said. “She’ll head to the Black Heart Bart Stakes over 1200m in just under two weeks. “Chris was over the moon with Laced Up Heels – when he asked her, she really responded.” Despite having 13 horses trial, Fernie’s highlight may have been delivered by million-dollar-earner and dual-Listed 1200m winner Ripcord. The four-year-old son of Written By began brightly and was immediately on the tail of leader Clemenceau. With 300m to go and the pacesetter under sufferance, Ripcord whistled to the front and sped two lengths clear under jockey Clint Johnston-Porter. Though Rope Them In ran on eye-catchingly from last, Ripcord raced away to win by two-and-a-half lengths, with Aztec Ruler filling third place. Though Fernie has tested Laced Up Heels on the eastern seaboard before, it is Wild Belle and Ripcord who have been allowed liftoff this campaign. “Clint said that Ripcord wanted to switch off a bit when he was left out in front, but he got a bit extra out of him after the line and he felt really strong,” Fernie said. “He and Wild Belle are most likely heading east and he’ll start on October 5 – I’m not sure whether that will be Melbourne or Sydney, but I’m leaning to Melbourne because it’s more familiar. “I was really happy with all three of them and they’ve all recovered well. They did what I expected.” Later in the morning, Miss Flirtacious, a winner of two races and placegetter in two others through April and May, romped away to also score for Fernie. The four-year-old Safeguard mare roped in a tearaway leader and easily held pursuers to salute by more than two lengths. “Miss Flirtacious trialled like a bomb. The data suggests she’s come back a better horse than when she went out,” Fernie said. Fernie was also impressed by the effort of Sainty Cullity; a big, gangling unraced son of Star Witness who ran on from second last to finish fourth at his first public appearance.