The Jamie Richards-trained The Perfect Pink (NZ) (Savabeel) picked up her maiden victory at just the third time of asking when winning the NZB Insurance Pearl Series Race (1300m) at Cambridge on Wednesday.
The filly got the perfect trip in the one-one before jockey Michael McNab asked her to improve three-wide turning for home where she was able to run away to a 2-1/4 length victory.
“We’ve always had a bit of time for her and it was a nice effort,” Richards said.
“She’s been immature and needed a patient approach, but she’s getting there now.
“She ran well fresh-up at Te Rapa, when getting back and making good ground, and today she was able to utilise a better barrier (3), camp in behind them, and with the addition of blinkers she really smartened up. I thought she was quite impressive the last bit and got away to win well.”
The daughter of Savabeel will now be set on a path towards the Gr.1 Barneswood Farm New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) at Riccarton in November.
“It looks as though she’s got better things in store, and we’ll certainly give her the opportunity of contesting some of the better fillies races,” Richards said.
“Where her next start is, I’m not entirely sure, but we’ll play around and make a plan.”
