Pearl of Alsace Chasing G1 Finale

Media Release - Wednesday January 8

Well-performed mare Pearl Of Alsace will have conditions to suit on Saturday in her quest to add a major title to her CV before the curtain comes down on her career.

Pearl Of Alsace will contest the Gr.1 Harcourts Thorndon Mile (1600m) at Trentham on Saturday.   Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images)

The daughter of Tavistock will return to her favourite course to contest the Gr.1 Harcourts Thorndon Mile (1600m) at Trentham where previous visits have been rewarded with three wins, including success in the Gr.3 Cuddle Stakes (1600m).

“She has been served by Proisir and we’re waiting to see if she is in foal,” said Shaune Ritchie, who trains the six-year-old with Colm Murray for breeder-owner Sir Peter Vela.

“If she is, she’ll only have a couple more runs and she is Group One placed and a Group winner so there’s only one mountain left to climb.

“If she can nail a Group One then that would be fantastic. We’re starting to run out of opportunities, and this is without doubt the best she’s had.”

Pearl Of Alsace has also pleased both of her trainers and raceday rider Michael McNab in her build-up.

“Her trial at Tauranga before the first race the other day was as good as you’re going to get from her,” Ritchie said.

“She was hard held in third and McNab got off and said that’s the best she’s trialled, so we seem to have her in the right order for the right conditions.

“She doesn’t seem to let down quite the same on the firmer tracks in summer so with it being a Slow 7 there’ll certainly be some give in the ground.

“She has a great record both at the mile and at Trentham and dropping down to 53kg is going to be advantageous as well. She comes into the race really nicely.”

Pride Of Alsace’s only miss on the track came at her most recent appearance when sixth in the Gr.1 Mufhasa Classic (1600m).

“She got within range and then lugged in, she hung in a little bit when she would normally quicken and just felt the ground,” Ritchie said.

Advertisement

“There were no muscle problems post that, but she’s just not the same when the tracks are hard.”

The stable will also be represented by Tycoon Prince in the Gr.2 Top Kat Roofing Levin Classic (1400m) and Hammer Time in the Wellington Seamarket Handicap (2200m).

The Cambridge Stud-bred and raced Tycoon Prince backed up his maiden win with a strong last-start third at Te Rapa behind Damask Rose and Sought After.

“It was a tidy race and when Damask Rose went past him, she gave him a bit of a touch up, he was only ever going to run third but he should have been a shade closer,” Ritchie said.

“He’s improving and we don’t have illusions of grandeur of knocking off Savaglee, he’s the best colt and he’s proven that.

“Tycoon Prince is stud-owned and black type is extremely important as Brendan and Jo (Lindsay) have the mare, so if he can place we’ll take that as a big win.

“I think he will continue to improve he’s quite a lanky horse and how far he’ll go I’m not sure, but I don’t think the 1400m will be a problem and he can race on pace.”

Hammer Time has won one of his two starts up to 1600m this campaign and will be suited to a rise in distance.

“He’s going to be hard to beat, we’ve tried him over ground before and for a variety of reasons hasn’t shined but he’s much stronger now,” Ritchie said.

“The last time we tried him, he stood on a nail and the shoe went in and he was in quite a bit of pain. He works, moves and looks like a stayer so maybe it’s the right time for him to run a trip.” – LOVERACING.NZ News Desk

Advertisment
More Reading...
Research on Equliume Light Mask
Don’t take our word for granted ….. Research on the Equilume Light mask for the pregnant mare and foal
Pencarrow Mare Chasing More Black Type
Classy mare Pearl Of Alsace will have an opportunity to get back in the winning groove at New Plymouth on Saturday, tackling the Gr.3 Denis Wheeler Earthmoving Taranaki Cup (1800m).
Cool Aza Beel Strikes Again
Proven Te Akau Racing filly Cool Aza Rene put her quality on display when prevailing in a competitive Nellies Restaurant and Bar 2YO (820m) at Wingatui on Sunday.
Tavistock Mare Chasing G1
Pearl Of Alsace has enjoyed a faultless preparation and will strip at the top of her game for Saturday’s Gr.1 Livamol Classic (2040m) at Hastings.
Sires With Winners - Sunday June 1
Here is the full list of 51 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Aussie Bred Trifecta in G3 Sha Tin Vase
Toronado (IRE) gelding Helios Express led home a tricta for Aussie bred sprinters in the Group III Sha Tin Vase (1200m) on Saturday defeating Invincible Sage (Thronum) and Patch of Theta (Zoustar).
Lightly Raced Stayer Wins Sandown Cup
The $175,000 Listed MRC Sandown Cup (3200m) on Sunday featured some battle hardened  old stayers, but it was the young kind on the block that got the prize with four year-old Tavistock gelding Diwali scoring his first stakes win.
In Foal to Proisir - Pearl of Alsace Chasing G1 Win
Pearl Of Alsace is in foal and entering the final few weeks of her racing career, but trainers Shaune Ritchie and Colm Murray hope a return to her favourite track might allow her to cap her CV with a Group One breakthrough.
Familiar Faces Win $100,000 Jumps Features at Sandown
Jumps racing took centre stage at Sandown on Sunday with some familiar colours and faces winning both the $100,000 Australian Steeplechase (3900m) and the $100,000 Australian Hurdle (3900m).
Unbeaten Blueblood Mare Aiming Up at G1
The Gr.3 Cuddle Stakes (1600m) was originally viewed as Pearl Of Alsace’s grand final, but the unbeaten mare has since convinced connections to raise the bar one more time.