New territory for Pearson

Winton harness racing trainer Lauren Pearson is venturing into new territory tomorrow as she heads up to Christchurch for Cup Day.

When Duchess Of Kent (Art Major) starts in the $200,000 Nevele R Three Year Old Fillies Final it’ll be the first time Pearson has had a runner in a Group One race.

Pearson’s only other Group starter was Duchess Of Kent’s half-brother Duke Of Wellington who won the 2018 Southern Supremacy Stakes.

Duchess Of Kent has been one of the rising stars in what has been a vintage crop of three year old fillies.

She’s won four of her five starts this season and ran a close second in the last heat of the series in Ashburton.

“We thought she’d run out (of puff) and Bob (driver Bob Butt) reckons she was short,” Pearson said.

Duchess Of Kent has been domiciled at Butt’s Woodend Beach stables recently as all her age group races have been in the wider Canterbury area.

“I’m fairly relaxed really because she’s up at Bob’s, so he’s got all the pressure. I might get a wee bit nervous when I get up there but we’re in with a show. She’s jumping out of her skin and that’s all we can ask for.”

The three year old filly has drawn the two barrier on the second row and will follow out Winelight, who’s expected to go forward.

“I don’t think it’ll be too bad but you don’t know with racing. Hopefully she’s not parked or anything like that.”

It’s seventeen years since the last Southland trained filly, Badlands Jewel who was trained by Wayne Adams, won the Nevele R Fillies Final. Other southern trained fillies who’ve won are Whanau and Robyn’s Treasure.

For complete race entries, click here.

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink