CHRISTMAS shopping suddenly became a lot easier for Christie Perry around 4.25pm last Saturday.
The daughter-in-law of master Newcastle trainer Paul Perry owns a three-year-old filly named Pearls Treasure, who won the Midway 3YO Maiden Plate (1100m) on debut at Wyong at $13.
“We were shopping at Kotara and watched the race on the phone, and the tears flowed,” the wife of the trainer’s son Nathan, who was on course, said.
It’s easy to understand why there was such emotion when you learn the background of this racing newcomer, especially when it had been nearly two years since she was purchased.
“I was sitting on the couch one day in February last year flowing through the entries for the Inglis Digital sale,” Mrs Perry explained.
“I noticed this Press Statement filly being offered by Vinery Stud, and she took my eye.
“I really liked her, and mentioned it to Nathan.
“We contacted Emma Parkinson, a friend of ours who works at Vinery, and she said she was a nice filly but immature.
“Nathan said to offer $5000, and it was accepted.”
The filly had actually been entered for the Magic Millions yearling sale in Adelaide the following month by vendor Glenn Lee Thoroughbreds at Meroo Meadow on the South Coast, but was withdrawn.
Purchasing the filly though was merely the beginning of a long haul to get her to the races, let alone make a winning debut.
Firstly, she had to be named – and that’s where the Perry’s 12-year-old daughter Cienna entered the picture.
“Cienna is the middle child of our three,” Christie Perry said. “She is our only daughter and more invested in racing than the two boys.
“She enjoys watching the races, and helps out naming some of the stable’s horses.
“Because Cienna loves pearls, that’s how we came up with the name Pearls Treasure.”
Naming the filly was the easiest part. Kicking off her racing career was an entirely different story.
To coin Paul Perry’s description, Pearls Treasure was a “weedy bugger” when she arrived - and Christie Perry agreed.
“She was exactly that, and we had to give her time to grow into herself,” she said.
“There was absolutely no point trying to rush her just to get to the races.”
Pearls Treasure was indeed given plenty of time.
“She didn’t trial until July 26 this year, and was narrowly beaten in an 800m heat at Gosford (the winner All Too Sneaky won first-up at Dubbo 18 days later),” Mrs Perry said.
“But she still wasn’t ready to go to the races, so we put her out again.”
After coming back into work, Pearls Treasure again showed ability when second to Octavian Treasure in an 800m trial at Newcastle on November 30 before winning a Wyong 1000m heat on December 15.
Stable apprentice Camille Houlgatte rode the filly in all three trials, and experienced jockey Jess Taylor was given the mount for her Wyong debut, with Nathan Perry there to saddle her for her first start.
Taylor had Pearls Treasure first away from an outside barrier, sat at the heels of fellow Newcastle three-year-old, Mark Minervini’s Toyger ($4.60), then took over the in the straight and was strong to the line.
Amidst the cheers from Kotara, first prize of $21,000 along with a $5625 BOBS bonus jumped in.
“It was such an unbelievable thrill just before Christmas,” Christie Perry said. “Pearls Treasure pulled up well, and Paul and Nathan are keeping her ticking over pending finding another race for her.”
HOOFNOTE: There is a real Newcastle connection to Pearls Treasure. The filly is the first foal of the unraced Onemorenomore mare Lady Of Prospect, who died in March this year.
Her dam Lady Of Helena won at her 10th and final start at Muswellbrook on August 15, 2003 – only 11 days before her trainer Max Lees, who along with Paul Perry in 2017 was an inaugural inductee into the Newcastle & Hunter Racing Hall Of Fame, passed away.
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