It was a heart-stopping conclusion to the first Group 1 event in Sydney on Saturday, as the heavily supported Mark Walker-trained filly Belle Cheval survived a desperate finish and a post-race protest to claim the 2026 Vinery Stud Stakes at Rosehill.

2026 Vinery Stud Stakes winner Belle Cheval heads to the paddock now bypassing the ATC Oaks. Photo: Bradley Photos.

Serving as the opening elite-level feature on the Tancred Stakes Day card, the Group 1 $750,000 Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m) produced a photo-finish for the ages.

The Kiwi raider, jumping as the $2.60 favourite, just managed to repel a surging After Summer in the primary lead-up to the Australian Oaks.

Making her Australian debut, the progressive daughter of Savabeel secured her Group 1 breakthrough after a literal “whisker” went her way this time—a stark contrast to her previous start across the Tasman where she was denied by a nostril in The Kiwi (1500m).

For trainer Mark Walker, the result was a massive relief.

“It was the NZB Kiwi photo all over again,” Walker told Sky Thoroughbred Central following the official results.

“She just ran around a bit, but it was great for the filly. (Breeders and co-owners) David (Archer) and Diane (Wright), and the team at home in New Zealand prepared her really well.

“Everyone has been working hard in Melbourne and New Zealand.

“We had a Group 1 at home today and a Group 1 here, so it’s a very special day.

“I actually thought we got beaten, whereas I’d thought we’d won the NZB Kiwi. I was glad to see the photo.”

Guided by the in-form Zac Lloyd, Belle Cheval sat prominently in second as the triple-figure outsider Stand My Ground dictated the tempo.

The winner showed some greenness under pressure in the straight, shifting ground before digging deep to hold on by the barest of margins.

“Obviously she was stepping up to 2000, but the race panned out beautifully, they didn’t go an overly strong gallop which I didn’t want for her,” Lloyd said.

“She quickened very well and I’m very surprised to see the horse I pushed out at the top of the straight (After Summer – 2nd) come back and nearly beat me because she quickened very well away from it.

“She showed a bit of fight, normally she’s known for her dazzling turn of foot whereas today she built and showed a bit of fight.

“She’s a good mare and it was a tenacious win by her.”

The drama didn’t end at the finish line; Billy Egan, rider of the runner-up After Summer, lodged a protest against Lloyd and the winner, which was ultimately dismissed by stewards.

The Ciaron Maher-trained Salty Pearl stayed on well to fill the trifecta in third.

Despite the dominant win, Walker confirmed that Belle Cheval would not proceed to the Group 1 Australian Oaks at Randwick on April 11.

Instead, she will head to the paddock to prepare for a lucrative spring that may include a tilt at the $10 million Golden Eagle.

“She is just a magic filly,” Walker added.

“She can have a nice break now and we’ll look forward to the spring. No Oaks for her. She gets a rest.

“We’ll let the dust settle and have a chat with (the owners) and work it out from there.”

With the Vinery winner bypassing the Oaks, the Chris Waller-trained Ohope Wins—who finished a close fourth—remains the $3 favourite at Ladbrokes.

However, the luckless After Summer has seen her odds slashed from $15 into $6 following her massive performance.

“Super run heading towards an Oaks,” Egan noted.

2026 Vinery Stud Stakes Results & Finishing Order

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