Very Pretty is very good

Mark Pitt believes outstanding three-year-old filly Very Pretty (American Ideal) is vying with stable mate Major Delight as the heir apparent to the  champion harness racing mare Ladies In Red. 

The Emma Stewart trained daughter of American Ideal restored normality to her picket fence form line when she worked to the lead inside the first 200 metres and was untroubled to score from Sweetnikkilou and Thesunandthemoon. 

WHAT A RUN!
Very Pretty (Emma Stewart/Mark Pitt) returns to winning form in the Nevele R Stud Mares Pace, blowing her rivals away in a slashing mile rate of 1.50.4! pic.twitter.com/bziuvVV7UK

— The Trots (@TheTrotsComAu) August 17, 2024

On the line Very Pretty ($1.25 fav) held a six metre advantage reeling off a 54.6 last 800 metres to record a slick mile rate of 1:50.4 for the 1720 metre sprint trip. 

A month ago Very Pretty tasted defeat for the first time in her career when runner up behind Exotic Bushranger however Pitt said there may have been excuses for the loss. 

“He trials leading into her first up run were super and I was a little bit surprised that she did get beaten, but we’ve since found there was a slight issue with her and the stable has got on top of that now and here she is tonight,” Pitt said. 

Pitt said the winner felt like her old self as soon as she entered the track. 

“She was super tonight and right on her A game from the start,” he said. 

“She was nice and relaxed in the warm up and wanted to come off the gate and when it was time to go she really let down.” 

Pitt believes Very Pretty has the potential to fill the considerable void left by the retirement of Ladies In Red. 

“There has always been a huge rap on this filly and the more times she steps out the more she proves that she could be the next Ladies In Red,” he said. 

Very Pretty boasts the imposing race record of nine wins and a second placing from her 10 career starts.  

For complete race results, click here.

by John Dunne, for Harnesslink