A homebred for Gerry Harvey, whose grand-dam Jezabeel won a Melbourne Cup, three year-old filly Pulsatilla is a new stakes-winner for Westbury Stud sire Redwood (GB) with the promise of more to come.
A rails-hugging ride from Warren Kennedy has provided promising filly Pulsatilla with her first success at stakes level as she captured the Listed Trevor & Corallie Eagle Memorial 3YO (1500m) at Ellerslie.
The Gerry Harvey bred and owned daughter of Redwood had started her career in fine fashion with an eye-catching performance for fifth behind subsequent Gr.1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) winner Well Written before breaking her maiden status at her next start over 1200m at Avondale.
Nothing went right for the Emma and Shaun Clotworthy-trained runner when finishing last at Ellerslie on Melbourne Cup Day, but she showed that was an aberration with her performance on Saturday to down a handy line-up of age-group rivals.
Kennedy was content to settle Pulsatilla in midfield on a strong early tempo set up by stablemates Faultless and Los Santos.
Things began to look a little dicey when the pace slackened, with Kennedy and his mount shuffled back to near the rear approaching the home bend.
Kennedy didn’t panic and waited for a run to present along the inside and when the gap came at the 200m Pulsatilla sprinted brilliantly to quickly collar Oratia and Sweet Ice who had looked likely to fight out the finish before they were given windburn as Pulsatilla swept past on her way to a two and a half-length victory.
Shaun Clotworthy is excited by the prospects for the filly, especially as she gets up over more ground with her pedigree giving cause for real optimism.
“She’s been impressive and has always shown us a lot,” Clotworthy said.
“Last time didn’t quite go to plan in how the race was run, but Warren has ridden her a treat.
“I said to him before the race not to cover any extra ground and she has a dynamic turn of foot, which you saw today.
“I could see on the turn she was travelling well, so it was just a matter of getting the gaps when they came.
“She has put them away pretty easily and now we will have a look at what is next.
“We might see her back here on New Years Day, but I think she is an Oaks (Gr.1, 2400m) type of filly so that is the long term goal.”
Clotworthy was referring to the Gr.2 Sir Patrick Hogan Stakes (2100m) on 1 January for his charge, followed by the Gr.1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand Oaks (2400m) on 21 February.
Kennedy was full of praise for the effort of the filly.
“It’s easy to look good and make gaps when they are travelling that easily,” he said.
“Once I got the split through she really quickened nicely and put two or three lengths on them.
“She is a smart filly and is only going to get better as she strengthens up.”
Pulsatilla is out of Harvey’s Rock Of Gibraltar mare Edie who is a daughter of Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) and Gr.1 Auckland Cup (3200m) winner Jezabeel. - LOVERACING.NZ NZ News Desk
