The Ciaron Maher stable opened the day at both Caulfield and Werribee with a pair of nice juvenile fillies in Stakes-placed Salty Pearl (Tagaloa) and Wiltshire Square (Wootton Bassett {GB}).
Ridden by Ben Allen at Caulfield, Salty Pearl won by 0.4l from colt Millennium Blade (Too Darn Hot {GB}) and colt Eton Affair (Peltzer). Salty Pearl had run third to Steel Trap (King’s Legacy) and Brave Design (Brave Smash {JPN}) when last seen in the Gr.3 David Coles Stakes in South Australia, and took her record to a win from four starts and earnings over $150,000.
“We didn’t think she was at her best over in Adelaide, and she had a nice three-week gap, and we kept her very fresh. She had the writing on the wall in the field she faced today. She got further back than we thought she would but a lovely steer by Ben and she was able to get the split,” said stable representative Jack Turnbull.
“She’s professional, she’s had a few goes at it now, and she’s tractable, so it worked out really well. Without talking to Ciaron, I think you’d have to have a good think about the spring. She obviously goes good and she’s on an upward trajectory. Races like the Cap d’Antibes and the Scarborough, those sprinting three-year-old races, would suit but whether we go one more, I’ll have a chat to the boss and we’ll work it out on Monday.”
She is the second winner for first season sire and Gr.1 Blue Diamond Stakes winner Tagaloa after Listed winner Spicy Lu, and he’s also sired Stakes-placed Alottago and Meisho. Salty Pearl was purchased by Starblue Consultancy and Ciaron Maher Racing for $75,000 from Sullivan Bloodstock’s Inglis Classic Yearling Sale draft who also sold her yearling half-sister by Nicconi for $54,000 at the Magic Millions Adelaide Yearling Sale to Tzaferis Racing and Peter Morgan.
Tagaloa | Standing at Yulong
Salty Pearl is the second foal and first winner for juvenile winner Leaven Of Malice (Sebring), a half-sister to Gr.3 MRC Chairman’s Stakes winner Mildred (Hinchinbrook) and their dam is R.Listed Magic Millions 3YO Trophy winner Tempest Tost (Statue Of Liberty {USA}). Tempest Tost is a half-sister to Gr.1 winner Notoire (Export Price {Fr}) and Listed winner Well Known (The Pug {GB}). The three are out of Lady Violet (Old Crony {USA}) who holds the Australian Stud Book record for consecutive foals at 18, and 14 of them raced for 12 winners including the aforementioned three Stakes winners and Stakes-placed Livigno (Churchill Downs).
Written for TTRAusNZ
