Pearl perfection
Former New Zealand filly Unusual Pearl could be headed to the feature South Australian carnival following her victory at Kilmore on Thursday, March 30.
Trained by Tony & Calvin McEvoy, Unusual Pearl was having her first run for the stable since being purchased from New Zealand.
Given a perfect run by Dean Holland, the three-year-old filly, a $7.50 chance, showed great heart to win the KVL Drilling & Civil Maiden (1600m).
She scored by a neck from Whispering Lady ($2.80) with Disturbia ($21), two lengths away third.
Unusual Pearl settled midfield and travelled nicely before Holland asked her to improve 600 metres from the finish.
He angled the filly into the clear turning for home and she lengthened beautifully. The runner up moved alongside to challenge but was held at bay in the run to the line.
Trainer Calvin McEvoy said Unusual Pearl had exceeded the stable’s expectations today.
“She arrived about five or six weeks ago and went to the races without a trial or jump out,” McEvoy said.
“We had to trust her base and the work we have been able to give her.
“Credit to our Racing Manager Rayan Moore who sourced the filly and sold her out to the ownership group.
“It is great to have the My Racehorse No1 group involved with their large ownership group.
“She is a full sister to the recent Sandown winner Unusual Culture and we think she has a good future.
“With her breeding, Unusual Pearl should be suited over even more ground than the 1600 metres of today, and she certainly was strong on the line.
“We will see how she pulls up but there is a thought of testing her in those good Adelaide races during their carnival culminating in the South Australian Oaks.”
McEvoy said the stable would contemplate the Group 3 $127,250 Auraria Stakes (1800m) at Morphettville on Saturday, April 15 as the next run for Unusual Pearl. It is a race the trainers won in 2020 with Silent Sovereign.
He said the trainers had been keen to purchase Unusual Pearl when Moore showed them a video of her only run in New Zealand.
“She ran third after having no luck. She is not a big filly but has a really nice action and we look forward to measuring up in tougher company