Kentuckiana Lodge has no plans to waste their premium draw with Black Pearl in the Group Two Southland Oaks Final on Diamonds Day.
The filly will slot into barrier 4 in an outstanding line up for the time-honoured feature at Ascot Park.
Black Pearl comes into the Southland Oaks after producing a brilliant win in its last qualifying heat.
The filly was forced to work overtime to find the parked position before she copped even more pressure from the three-wide line.
Going on to win, Black Pearl stamped herself as a leading Southland Oaks contender with her powerful staying performance.
After showing her toughness last week, Cran Dalgety says his camp have no plans to waste their great draw on Sunday.
“With the performance she put on last week you would think she would have the respect of most of the drivers out there.”
“In an ideal world she would slide across to the front and lead them a merry chase.”
“You’d think on her run last week that her rivals would recognise she would be a pretty handy horse to follow.”
“It may pan out differently on the day, but we would like to be handy and make full use of the draw.”
Though she copped a tough run last week, all signs point to Black Pearl being able to produce another strong effort on Sunday.
The filly has shown no signs that her Winton heat run has taken any spark out of her ahead of the Southland Oaks Final.
“She pulled up very bright and travelled home well so we don’t have too many concerns in that department.”
“She’s got a great attitude and doesn’t take anything extra out of herself.”
“That has probably helped her come through last week’s race well.”
“It was a tough run but she isn’t showing any ill effects after it.”
Sweet Diamond and Treacherous Gall are at top of a very strong line up of opponents for Black Pearl.
Carter Dalgety heads south to link up with Black Pearl on Sunday.
