Pearl Proves Too Good At Her Trade
3 February, 2018
Thoroughbred
Pearl Trade has delivered on the promise she has shown in her career thus far, recording her first Saturday win in the James Boag’s Premium Handicap (1200m) at Ascot this afternoon.
In what has been a case of so close, so far this campaign, the Alan Mathews-trained filly did not let her followers down this afternoon, recording a dominant two-and-a-quarter length win.
Pearl Trade had finished no more than four lengths away in her previous five starts this campaign, and was the beneficiary of a hot speed in the $70,000 event, storming over the top of her rivals in the closing stages.
Jockey Patrick Carbery had the filly perfectly positioned in fifth place throughout as Vital Dancer set the speed.
Mathews said everything worked in the three-year-old’s favour today.
“We have always said we have just got to get it right,” he said.
“We have been trying a few different tricks.
“She relaxed, and she showed her true colours today.
“She jumped out quite steadily, and was able to track up and never over-raced, that has been the whole problem.”
Mathews indicated he would look to step the filly further up in distance if she continued to settle in her races the way she did today.
Meanwhile, Friar Fox will chase blacktype glory over the upcoming Autumn Carnival, after she upset short price favourite Action in the Penfold’s Handicap (1600m).
The Justine Erkelens-trained filly was also given a perfect run in transit by jockey Shaun O’Donnell, just behind pacemaker Lucky Roar and was a little too sharp for her rivals in the closing stages to record a one length win.
Erkelens said she would target the filly towards the Listed Ascot 1000 Guineas (1800m) early next month.
Action worked home well in the closing stages, but had too much work to do in the home straight, and could only managed a third place finish.
Hoodlum Thunder drifted significantly in betting, and faded in the straight to finish last.
Tim Walker