Peaceful can cause a stir on WA debut

Four-year-old mare Peaceful (Sweet Lou) has quietly made her way to the care of Jocelyn Young and is set to make her debut tonight at Bunbury in race 7 (7.46pm) for the harness racing trainer/driver.

Going in after a last start trial on the 10th of July at Pinjarra, Young made mention that she is going into tonight’s race “definitely needing the run”.

The pair start from barrier three in a strong provincial field with the current TABtouch fixed odds favouritism with the Justin Prentice trained and driven Mikis Beach, currently at $1.80.

“We’re sort of just there tonight for a bit of a race run and some fitness, because I know she’s well below where she needs to be. I haven’t had anyone to work her with.”

“Her trial was fair, and she’s definitely come on from the trial though.”

Peaceful also comes up against last start winner Gully Gum for trainer Bob Mellsop.

With the advantage of the draw, Peaceful opened up as $4.80 on the TABtouch marker and at time of publication, had drifted only lightly out to $4.80.

“She’s pretty talented but not very well gaited, which lets her down a lot.”

“She sat outside Major Delight as a two-year-old when they went 1:50:5 and was only beaten a small margin, and she’s been in all the big races,

“But I’m not going to the races with high expectations tonight.”

Although not going into the race with overly high expectations of Peaceful, but with her ability, a win wouldn’t come as a complete shock.

“Things would have to go her way, I just know she’s way too fat, she’s had plenty of work, I just didn’t think she would take as much (work) as she is.”

Before heading to the West, Peaceful had been racing in good form, and as a three-year-old claimed the $30,000 Golden Easter Egg at Menangle in 2023, and then later that month the $100,000 APG 3YO Gold Bullion Fillies Final ahead of $500,000 earner Jewel Melody.

Peaceful ran third in the Gr1 $150,000 Ladbrokes Queensland Oaks in July 2023, and has had just the five start since, and will now make her WA debut tonight at Bunbury.

Peaceful is impeccably bred, by the in-demand stallion Sweet Lou and out of champion mare, and over $1million earner Frith, it’s no real surprise that Peaceful has inherited ability as well.

Peaceful is the first foal out of Frith and in just 21 starts has won six and placed in nine, with her earnings just shy of $150,000.

Frith herself was an incredibly successful mare, starting 68 times for 39 wins and 14 placings, with her earnings of $1,180,345 something to be admired.

Firth raced here in WA on three occasions, including winning the Gr1 2013 WA Oaks for trainer/driver Bruce Harpley.

She then returned back to the West in 2015, defending her 100% starts to wins strike rate in WA when she was under the care of Michael Brennan and took out the $50,000 Norms Daughter Classic and the Gr3 James Brennan Memorial within a fortnight.

Firth retired in February 2017 after finishing in second place by the narrowest of margins in the Gr1 $203,000 Ladyship Mile.

She had won the Ladyship Mile the year prior.

For complete race entries, click here.

by Ashleigh Paikos, for RWWA