Necklet A Pearl For Kersley
12 May, 2018
Thoroughbred
Up-and-coming filly Necklet has produced, arguably, a career best performance at Ascot this afternoon, taking out the Rotary Club Of Perth Handicap (1400m).
Pre-race, it was built up as a two horse race, with Necklet and Pearls And Prawns starting equal favourites, but it was Fred Kersley’s filly who stamped her authority.
Pearls and Prawns took up the running for jockey Clint Johnston-Porter, with Boxonlucy to her outside, while Necklet was able to sit in the box seat for jockey Brodie Kirby
Kirby made the move to peel out three wide on the turn for home, and quickly had Pearls And Prawns under pressure.
The Snitzel filly quickly moved up to her rival in the home straight, and showed an electric turn of foot to go on and record a one-and-three-quarter-length win.
It continued an outstanding preparation for Necklet, after she won first-up this campaign, before two second placings, one of which came to Mizlecki in the Listed Sheila Gwynne Classic.
Kersley, who had plenty of confidence pre-race about Necklet’s prospects, said he wasn’t overly happy with how the filly travelled throughout the 1400m event.
“It was a surprisingly good win,” he said.
“In the run, I had my doubts when Pearls And Prawns led comfortably.
“The time was quick though.”
Kersley said he was mindful of not wearing out the filly, who has won two of her eight career starts.
“I probably don’t want to be doing too much as a three-year-old, but you don’t want to waste your three-year-old career,” he said.
“She will probably have another run, but at the end of the day it will be up to (owner) Neville Duncan and what he wants to do.”
Meanwhile, Enticing Star has kept her unbeaten start to her career going, with an impressive win in the Commit To Change Handicap (1100m).
The Testa Rossa mare was in a spot of bother coming to the turn, tucked away on the fence but was able to find clear running and storm home to make it four wins from four starts.
It was also the first of four winners on the day for jockey William Pike.
Tim Walker