An outstanding victory at Ashburton has earnt Kentuckiana Lodge filly Black Pearl a shot at the Group Two Southland Oaks.
The Cran and Chrissie Dalgety trained three-year-old worked harder than her rivals before putting them to the sword in an emphatic display for driver Blair Orange.
Black Pearl got back in a sprint home in her first up run at Addington a week prior, but after taking benefit from that run it was her who was carving out fast sectionals to win at Ashburton.
“She has come back up very nice but her first up run was a bit of a non-event which was a little bit frustrating,” Cran said.
“She did take some benefit from having that hit-out and she was well and truly ready to cut loose at Ashburton.”
“Blair summed it up well, when she needed to get around them he got moving and even though she did some work she found the line very nicely.”
“As I said, she has come back in really well and it was nice that she was able to show it.”
Black Pearl will now head to a heat of the Southland Oaks Series at Oamaru next week.
Her gritty win at Ashburton has given the Dalgety camp even more confidence to aim at a start in its Group Two final.
“We have had our eye on the Southland Oaks and her win at Ashburton has sealed the deal.”
“We would like to think she is well up to that sort of company so we will head to Oamaru and roll the dice.”
“She’s still on the way up so she will be tighter again for that last run, so hopefully she can give them plenty to think about.”
Black Pearl was purchased by Kentuckiana Lodge at the 2021 National Yearling Sales in Auckland.
The filly is raced by Phil & Margaret Creighton, Larry Karr, Ron Burke, Mike Bruscemi & Mark Weaver, Phil Collura, Bernard Smith, David Schollum, Ken Cummings and Margaret Meates.
