Over achieving Pecans eyes more black-type
When Joe Pride paid $50,000 for ex-Godolphin mare Pecans last year he never envisaged she would progress to a Group race sponsored by the global thoroughbred empire.
The four-year-old will be after more black-type in Saturday’s Group Three Godolphin Crown at Hawkesbury to go with her win in the Belle Of The Turf at Gosford in December.
“I bought her thinking a good result would be winning a couple of Wednesday races and she ended up a Group Three winner at the end of her last prep,” Pride said.
Pecans suffered a stomach upset which forced Pride to abandon plans to start her off in the Group Two Sapphire Stakes (1200m) at Randwick on April 14.
Pride does not think the setback is a concern given her impressive first-up record highlighted by a win and two minor placings from four attempts.
“She pays the penalty for winning the Belle Of The Turf but she’s come back in good order,” he said.
“After three trials she’s ready to run a solid 1300 metres and she’s always been a good horse fresh.”
Pecans was a $10 chance in the TAB’s market on Friday with Sedanzer, who she beat in the Belle Of The Turf, the $4.20 favourite.
Pride is unfazed by Pecans’ barrier nine of 14.
“There’s enough speed in it for her to get across. She races primarily on pace so that will be the plan again,” he said.
Passage Of Time is also returning in the Listed Hawkesbury Gold Rush (1100m), his first start since his second in the Listed Ladies Day Cup (1400m) at the track in November.
Pride would have preferred some rain to soften the track.
“He’s most effective from 1200 to 1400 metres but he’s a promising stallion and hopefully we can get him to Brisbane,” he said.
Stablemates Destiny’s Kiss and Bon Equus contest the Group Three Hawkesbury Gold Cup (1600m) and Provincial Stayers’ Handicap (2100m) respectively.