The riding change albeit to an apprentice made the difference today for Belle Miraaj as the strong good looking black filly won at Listed level easily. It dispelled the myth she was a backrunner only as after sitting second the outer she took over turning in and strode clear. She can swim too so has more success ahead this season once the weather takes a turn but also with a racing pattern change bad luck is removed from the equation now. It was her fifth win in eight starts today and her good record should be even better though a G1 placing in the spring is the biggest value result so far for her family and when she becomes a broodmare. Samantha Wynne rode a confident race and will be hard to take off the filly in the South Island now at least as the daughter of Iffraaj seemed to coast along nicely for her. Interestingly the filly won her first two starts for apprentice Amber Edwards so cannot be a hard lass to ride. Riding Shotgun ran on as usual for second but under normal circumstances where each is ridden properly he looks unable to beat the filly home Joby ran on well for third and is usually a leader or on pacer but it seemed to work for him being ridden cold to gain the blacktype for his breeding. Gold Allure was not too bad for fourth and the filly is in an astute stable. The rest were poor or outclassed but should be win chances back to their normal grade. The winning time for the mile was the second best on the day and Belle Miraaj may be seen at Riccarton soon for a couple of blacktype events towards Filly Of The Year. She does still hold a G1 NZ Oaks nomination for Trentham and where she runs next will certainly be of interest let alone if the apprentice retains the mount.