Hidden Pearl’s latest Eagle Farm win has given her trainer further encouragement ahead of her upcoming trip to Sydney.
The Barry Lockwood-trained mare scored an easy win over 1000 metres on Saturday after a few anxious moments during the race.
Hidden Pearl was surprisingly headed by Tibrogargan Miss and then jockey Bridget Grylls was unable to get her clear to the outside in the straight.
In the end Grylls pushed up on the fence, the inferior ground, and Hidden Pearl ran away for a two-length win.
“Bridget lost her compass and I think she might have heard what I was saying at the top of the straight,” Lockwood said.
“But we learned a few things including Hidden Pearl is tough and she can take a sit off the pace.”
Lockwood confirmed Hidden Pearl would now step up to Group Two level in The Shorts at Randwick on September 10.
The mare has won both her starts since returning to racing after being injured in a race at Flemington in early November.
Grylls, a former kiwi apprentice who has made Brisbane her home, won’t be out of place in Sydney as she has been in good form with three metropolitan winners in the past three weeks.
Meanwhile, another former kiwi apprentice Amelia Denby continued her run as Brisbane’s best long shot jockey when she won on War Baby ($31 into $13) on Saturday.
Denby has ridden five recent metropolitan winners at an average price of $13.
“I am enjoying riding these long shot winners but it would be nice to get on some more fancied horses in the city,” Denby said.
