VICTORY for the five-year-old Bella Vella in Saturday’s Group 1 TAB Classic Robert Sangster Stakes over six furlongs at Morphettville is a heart-warming tale. The daughter of Commands (Danehill) was sold for just $22,500 at the 2019 Inglis Digital Monthly April Sale after she failed to get in foal.

She was purchased by John Kelton, who raced the 2012 Group 1 Mackinnon Stakes winner Alcopop, and placed with a syndicate which includes her trainer Will Clarken. What a transformation he has brought about and she has won six of 11 starts for Clarken and most of her $634,360 in earnings. The mare has won 10 times in all.