Pearl sings her way to Oaks final

Canterbury harness racing visitor Black Pearl (Bettor’s Delight) put her hand up for next Sunday’s $45,000 Group Two Macca Lodge/ Nevele R Stud Southern Oaks Final, impressively winning the last heat at Winton today (Apr. 13).

Driver Jonny Cox was left three wide early from gate seven but he was happy to sit parked outside leader Sister Cherie (Bettor’s Delight).

“She relaxed beautifully in the breeze,” Cox said.

Inside the last 500 metres Carrara Sunset (Downbytheseaside) joined the leading pair and it was race on.

Cox knew he had a typically tough Bettor’s Delight filly in front of him.  At the top of the straight he was in front and he maintained his lead to win easily by one and a half lengths from a late charging What A Minx (Art Major). Carrera Sunset rallied well to hold on for third, three quarters of a length back from the winner.

“When I asked her to go, (Black Pearl) she really knuckled down, I knew she’d keep going because she’d gone some super races in Christchurch, and she did it pretty well in the end.”

BLACK PEARL REPLAY

Black Pearl is trained by Cran and Chrissie Dalgety and will join among others, Sweet Diamond, Treacherous Gall, Betta Watch Out, What A Minx, Beach Day, Carrera Sunset and Sister Cherie in next Sunday’s Southern Oaks Final over 2700 metres.

“If she relaxes the way she did today she’s got to be in with a chance in the final.”

For complete race results, click here.

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink