Last start failure Pearls can bounce back against a quality field of mares in the Group 2 $400,000 Ronald McDonald House Westmead Golden Pendant (1400m) at Rosehill on Saturday.
Pearls, above, has the ability to bounce back in the Golden Pendant at Rosehill. Photo by Steve Hart.
Trainer John O’Shea has plenty of faith in Pearls who he said has the ability to find her way back into the winner’s stall after a dismal last start eleventh of fourteen behind Heavens Above in the Group 3 $125,000 Irresistible Pools Sheraco Stakes (1200m) at Rosehill on September 10.
At her previous start Pearls was able to score a first up win in the Group 3 $125,000 Forum Group Toy Show Quality (1300m) at Randwick on August 20 but was caught without cover from a wide barrier last start.
“Her first-up run in the Toy Show was top class and then she drew wide and raced a bit fresh last time,” O’Shea said.
“She’s very well and we’re looking forward to getting back on the winners’ list.”
Pearls has drawn the rails in the Golden Pendant and James McDonald is certain to give her the run of the race from there.
The Exceed And Excel mare will again be taking on Sheraco Stakes winner Heavens Above who came from well back in the field to swamp the placegetters last start.
Heavens Above has also drawn nicely at barrier four and will be ridden again by Tye Angland but trainer Tim Martin is concerned that there might not be enough speed on up front for her to pick up the leaders in the straight.
“That is the slight concern and there is not much pace on paper at all,” Martin said.
“First-up when they went slow and sprinted (in the Toy Show Quality) it didn’t suit her and that could be the same on Saturday.”
Top weight First Seal heads up the market order for the Golden Pendant at $3.30 at Ladbrokes.com.au and trainer John Thompson has tuned her up for her return to the race track with a 1200m barrier trial win at Randwick on September 5.
Heavens Above is on the second line of betting at $5 while Pearls is listed as an $11 chance.
Market order for the Golden Pendant at Ladbrokes.com.au: $3.30 First Seal, $5 Heavens Above, $7 Dixie Blossoms, $8 Denmagic, $8.50 Tycoon Tara, $11 Pearls, $12 Sold For Song, $17 Serene Majesty, Zanbagh, $26 Ammirata.
