The Pearls to shine in VRC Oaks

[Wandering Eyes]

Champion trainer Chris Waller will have a rare runner in the Gr.1 VRC Oaks (2500m) at Flemington on Thursday when he saddles second-favourite The Pearls (NZ) (Proisir) in the fillies feature.

The daughter of Proisir brings strong Sydney form to Flemington after a game effort when third in the Gr.1 Spring Champion Stakes (2000m) behind Attica and Shangri La Boy, having previously been runner-up in the Gr.3 Gloaming Stakes (1800m).

The Pearls will clash with hot favourite Getta Good Feeling, who took out the Gr.2 Wakeful Stakes (2000m) last Saturday in emphatic fashion.

Waller said the VRC Oaks is a race that hasn’t been targeted by the stable previously and hence The Pearls would be his first runner. 

“It’s very early but this filly, she’s pretty tough,” he said. “Had she disappointed us in the Gloaming, she would’ve spelled.

“Had she disappointed us in the Spring Champion, she would’ve spelled, had she disappointed us when she travelled down (to Melbourne), she would’ve spelled.

“She hasn’t. She’s never let us down and she’s enjoying it.

“When she parades on Thursday you’ll see a big strong filly.”

“She’s a pretty smart horse. We thought six months ago she’d be a Flight Stakes (Gr.1, 1600m) filly, we always thought highly of her but she took a long time to get to that next level.”

Bred by the Dennis Brothers of Ravelston Stud, The Pearls was a $460,000 Karaka yearling purchase by The China Horse Club from the draft of Janine Dunlop’s Phoenix Park.

The Pearls took five starts to break her maiden but Waller is confident she is seasoned for The Oaks tilt having taken on the colts at her most recent outings.

“Her form should stand up, racing against the boys, it’s another level,” Waller said. By Rich Hill Stud stallion Proisir, The Pearls is out of stakes winning mare The Pearler, a nine-times winner out to 2000m and also dam of Gr.1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) placegetter The Lustre.

Other staying winners on the filly’s page include The Wink, Marine Boy, The Twinkle and the Fantasy. This is also the family of The Phantom Chance, who won the 1992 G1 NZ Derby (2400m) and 1993 G1 Cox Plate (2040m).

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