Col Thomas believes he's unearthed a very nice filly in the making.
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Off a long break, Girls Love Pearls produced a strong finish to take out the Hes Watching @Tipperary Equine Pace (1740m) at Riverina Paceway on Friday.
The three-year-old filly was unplaced in two starts in New Zealand early last year before being purchased by Michael Boots.
It's taken a long time to make her return to the track, but she hasn't been with Thomas very long.
Going on to down her rivals to 9.7 metres to record a good mile rate of 1:55.0, Thomas was very impressed with her efforts.
"She's a lovely filly," Thomas said.
"I really like her and I've only had her for about eight weeks."
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After returning from Anthony Butt, Boots was going to send the well-bred filly to Blake Jones.
However Thomas is very pleased she's stayed in his stable.
"She was going to go to Blake but he didn't pick her up and I said she could stay here as I really do like her," he said.
"She went good and won easy."
However Thomas is hoping he can straighten out the daughter of Bettors Delight out a little after Adam Richardson had a few troubles steering.
"She was getting on one rein a little bit so needs to straighten up and was a bit green but I like her," he said.
A full-sister to Carabella, who won 17 and her 19 starts and was runner up in her only two defeats, Thomas is confident there is plenty of upside.
"Her full sister won over $600,000," he said.
Thomas also finished third with Metal Rock in the fast class race on the card.
It was his last run for the stable before heading to Jason Grimson.
Thomas believes the unhoppled pacer will be well suited to the Menangle track.
"Over 2300 down there will suit him down to the ground on that big track," he said.
"He's come of age I think."
Meanwhile Jackson Painting was the only multiple winner on the card.
His first was for Gary Lang with Flaneur, who took out a tight finish to the Riverina Local Pace Final (2270m).
Arriving just in time, Flaneur downed Just Smokin by a half head.
B K Swy produced a big sprint to make it two wins in three starts for David Kennedy.
Courtney Rees
Courtney is a sports journalist from The Daily Advertiser focusing on Group Nine, Southern Inland, cricket, harness racing and greyhound racing.
Courtney is a sports journalist from The Daily Advertiser focusing on Group Nine, Southern Inland, cricket, harness racing and greyhound racing.
