Move Over Diamonds, Opals Are A Girls Bestfriend
Pocketful Of Opals and Kyle Harper after their win. Photo Credit- Gloucester Park Social Media
Collie based trainer Bianca Ashcroft celebrated her first metro win on Friday night with Pocketful Of Opals taking out the two-year-old event at Gloucester Park.
Starting from barrier six in the last on the card, the $19 shot eventually worked to the lead after Feeling Empathy broke after a short tussle for the front, with Pocketful Of Opals holding on for a narrow win over the 2130m journey, claiming the win by a head in 2:03:1.
“It was a really awesome feeling to train my first metro winner, made even more special because I bred the horse with my nan Beryl and Uncle Martin, and it’s a nice feeling to know all the work and effort is paying off.”
Ashcroft had to enjoy the win from afar, with work keeping her away from the track on Friday night, her dad Errol Ashcroft was given the task of preparing the young filly for the night.
Bred by Ashcroft with family, Opal who is by Foreclosure gave the American bred but Irish stood stallion his first winner in Australia earlier in the year, with Opal also his first foal born down under.
“I originally purchased the dam Tella NZ from New Zealand for $6000 to breed from as she is fairly well bred. I ended up racing her for three years after my first horse had to retire due to an injury.”
“Tella ended up winning six races and numerous places for me out on the country circuits. She finished her racing career on our home track in Collie with a win, she was driven by Kyle Harper.”
The win with Kyle Harper was quite fitting, with Harper also on board her first foal Pocketful Of Opals on Friday night.
Tella NZ made her way over to Ashcroft in 2015 and had a total of 87 starts for her stable before being retired for the breeding barn, giving Bianca Pocketful Of Opals and in 2021 another filly, but this time to Control The Moment who is also promoted locally by Kody Charles and KTC Bloodstock.
“I chose Foreclosure to put to Tella because Kody contacted me after he heard Tella NZ had retired and asked me to consider using Foreclosure. He sent me all the details and I really liked the look of his bloodlines and thought it looked a good match.”
The Ashcroft name has been prevalent in the WA harness racing scene for many years, it has seen Bianca involved in every step of her young fillies journey.
“When breaking and educating Opal, she had a bit of a stubborn streak and was also impatient at the same time, but once she got the gist of what was required, she developed into a nice mannered little filly.”
Pocketful Of Opals has now had 9 starts for three wins and a placing, taking her total earnings to over $23,000 not including the Westbred bonuses she has accumulated.
Ashleigh Paikos