Carrying the colours of her sire Bon Hoffa, the Kevin Corstens-trained outsider Bon’s a Pearla overpowered the favourite Heresy in Saturday’s $300,000 Group II Off The Track Community Thousand Guineas Prelude (1400m) at Caulfield.
Ridden by Jason Maskiell, Bon’s a Pearla came from midfield to defeat the game favourite Heresy (Street Boss) by a half-neck with Elusive Express (Jakkalberry) three-quarters of a length back in third.
A last start winner at Sandown, Bon’s a Pearla advances her record to two wins and a third from four starts with earnings of $247,400.
“That was fantastic. It was a great ride, he was patient on her,” Corstens said.
“Jason’s a big supporter of ours. He sticks with us. He does a lot of work with our stables and it pays to be loyal sometimes.
“Ken and Anna (King) are behind me all the way. They have been fantastic supporters They’ve given me some really nice horses to work with and we’ve had some success. This is probably the best one so far.
“We’ve always liked her. After her last start I still said that there was plenty of improvement in the coat and she still has improvement to come. Hopefully she’s not just there yet.”
For Maskiell, who is establishing himself following a battle with substance abuse, said it was among the highlights of his career.
“It’s really up there. Obviously everyone knows about my downfall,” Maskiel said.
“My wife is out in the carpark with my son. It is probably the biggest race I’ve won since I’ve been back and it is just a great thrill.
“Thanks to Ken King for giving me the ride. He’s been a big syndicator for a lot of years and to give me the opportunity on such a big stage, hopefully we can deliver in the Group 1.”
A homebred for Ken King Thoroughbreds, Bon's A Pearla is the first foal of the winning Duporth mare Treasure Island.
A winner at the Gold Coast, Treasure Island is a daughter of the unraced Volksraad mare Spyglass Hill, a half-sister to stakes-winners Kalamata (dam of Group III SAJC Sires' Produce Stakes winner Stirling Grove), and Kirvinsky.
Treasure Island has a 2yo colt by Holler, a yearling three-quarter sister to Bon's A Pearla by Bon Aurum and was covered by Bon Aurum again last spring.
Bon’s a Pearla becomes the fifth stakes-winner for Bowness Stud’s Bon Hoffa who covered 61 mares last spring at a fee of $5,500.
