Mission accomplished in Precious Gem win
Trainer Henry Dwyer completed the job his owners wanted him to do when Precious Gem scored a black-type win at Caulfield.
Precious Gem was sent to Dwyer’s Caulfield stable with the aim of collecting a stakes victory before her retirement retirement.
Dwyer achieved that goal with Precious Gem taking out the Listed Anniversary Vase (1400m) on Saturday.
Ridden by Jake Noonan, Precious Gem ($9) gave away a big start mid-race before running down the leader Sistine Demon ($26) to score by 1-1/2 lengths with Enquare ($9) a short half-head away third.
Precious Gem was prepared by Gwenda Johnstone and had finished in the placings in five black-type races for the country-based trainer.
The mare’s owners wanted Precious Gem trained in the city and set one goal for Dwyer.
“She’s a lovely mare and a high-quality mare, but they’re not worth much at stud unless they’ve won a stakes race,” Dwyer said.
Precious Gem is booked into the Magic Millions broodmare sale in June and Dwyer said she may head north earlier.
“After the sale there’s the Tatt’s Tiara which would be a nice race for her if the new owners wanted to keep racing her before she’s sent to stud,” Dwyer said.