Jet Belle (SAF) bounced back to winning ways as she produced a typically powerful finish to land the Gr 3 Poinsettia Stakes over 1200m at Clairwood on Sunday. Hammie's Hooker (SAF) was narrowly beaten into second as Lanner Falcon (SAF) and Jet Supreme (SAF) completed the quartet.

Favourite All Is Secret tacked across from her outside draw to dispute the lead with Jet Supreme, who raced up against the inside rail and showed surprising early speed. My Sanctuary, Beach Beauty, Princess Julietta and Fly By Night tracked the leading pair, with Hammie's Hooker in the middle of the pack. Jet Belle raced to the inside of the pack, about five lengths off the pace, as Lanner Falcon sat at the rear of the field with Reflective Image.

All Is Secret came under pressure about 300m out and started to backpedal as Hammie's Hooker quickened effortlessly past her. Jet Supreme continued to run a big race against the outside rail with Fly By Night and Beach Beauty trying to make some inroads and My Sanctuary still on the premises. Lanner Falcon, meanwhile, had found her stride and started to charge through up the outside.

Hammie's Hooker looked all over a winner 150m out but Jet Belle took off to her inside. The pair went nose-to-nose for the line, with Jet Belle, superbly ridden by Stuart Randolph, squeaking home by the narrowest of margins and Lanner Falcon not far behind in third.

Jet Belle went off at relatively long odds, but there's no doubting her class as she had a number of stakes placed efforts to her name coming into the race. She had, however, been slightly disappointing at her previous two starts, which may have put off some form students. Her versatility is remarkable, as she finished third in the SA Oaks last season, over twice this distance, and trainer Glen Kotzen (pictured) has plenty of options to look at for her winter campaign. 

The luckless Hammie's Hooker is proving to be something of a bridesmaid and one had to feel for her here, as she did everything but win. This was a promising way to kick off her winter programme and she looks certain to add more black type to her name before the end of the season.

Lanner Falcon ran a blinder and looks a lively contender for such races as the KRA Fillies Guineas and Tibouchina Stakes, should her connections decide to go that route.

Jet Supreme also came out of the race with plenty of credit. The trip looked on the sharp side for her but she was always in the vanguard and stayed on really well under pressure.

Beach Beauty wasn't beaten far in fifth and this looked a satisfactory trial for the bigger tests that lie ahead for her, while sixth-placed Fly By Night deserves a mention for a respectable effort in this class, given the weight-for page terms of the race.

 4 b f Jet Master - Bella Bianca (ARG) by Ahmad (ARG)
Owners: Drakenstein Stud (Nom: Mrs G A Rupert) & Mr Colin Bird
Bred by Messrs T L Bailes, C T Elphick & S J Saunders
Winning trainer: Glen Kotzen