She’s A Pearl primed for Gold Bullion after Paws Of Thunder win
According to her handler, Paul Mills, She's A Pearl is set for a Gold Bullion assault in Brisbane after her comprehensive Paws Of Thunder victory on Saturday night.
The 2021 Million Dollar Chase winner and second-highest earning greyhound in history crossed the line in a stunning 29.50 seconds in the 520m journey at Wentworth Park, prevailing by a comfortable two lengths.
After a disappointing fifth in the Gosford Gold Cup on January 3, She's A Pearl bounced back to form in the manner her connections knew she could.
Despite starting the Group 1 event as the $3 favourite, there were doubts over whether the superstar sprinter with over $1.6 million in prizemoney could defeat such a red-hot field after her effort early in the new year.
But she relished box eight, where she now has six wins from six starts, enjoying a beautiful run to the first turn on the back of Reflections (third for Kerry Drynan from the No.6 box).
And when she built a big lead on the back straight, there was no stopping her.
2023 Paws Of Thunder Final replay – She's A Pearl (1st)
When asked post-race if She's A Pearl would next be headed to Brisbane, Mills said she would be.
“I think so, yeah. As long as she pulls up all right,” he told The Dogs.
The Gold Bullion heats will be at Albion Park this Thursday night.
What made the Paws Of Thunder victory even more special for She's A Pearl was her ability to overcome a neck injury which cost her at Gosford.
“I was very quietly confident. She had a little problem in the lead-up to the race, but Andy got her right,” Mills said.
“He worked on her all week and her record shows it – she's a proven champion.”
Some punters might have preferred Silver Chief winner Amron Boy or the second-favourite from the No.1 box, French Martini, on Saturday night.
But the Jody and Andy Lord camp never doubted their kennel superstar's ability to bounce back, particularly after she won her heat in 29.62 seconds.
“She keeps rising to the big occasions. The camp has never discounted her,” Mills said.
“It's beautiful to see a bitch like this continuing on. A lot of people love her and she just thrives on it.”
She's A Pearl has enjoyed a magnificent career, with her Golden Easter Egg, Million Dollar Chase and Paws Of Thunder victories her highlights.
The brilliant bitch now has 28 wins from 46 starts, but – at three years and three months – this could be her final year of racing.
However, after seeing the way Andy Lord helped her recover in time to win in such fine fashion on Saturday night, Mills said she at least should be in prime condition for this year's Golden Easter Egg.
One final shot at this year's Million Dollar Chase could be her last major target.
“It'll be great to see her go out on a big high, and there are a couple more Group races in her, as she showed,” Mills said.