Written by Paul Vettise
Bon’s A Pearla (Bon Hoffa) and Lightsaber (Zoustar) struck winning blows against their respective sexes at Caulfield to add serious momentum to their chase for Group 1 3-year-old honours this spring.
The Kevin Corstens-trained filly caused a major upset by landing the G2 Off The Track Community Thousand Guineas Prelude while Lightsaber downed the colts and geldings in the G3 Neds Caulfield Guineas.
Both second-season campaigners showed they were on course for higher honours with Bon’s A Pearla powering into G1 Thousand Guineas calculations. While she started at better than 30-1 on Saturday, Corstens wasn’t surprised by the performance.
“I’ve always liked her since the first time she first came into the stable and after her last start she really improved,” he said.
Impressive progression
Bon’s A Pearla has progressed with each appearance and, after a fifth on debut, was third at Geelong and then broke her maiden over 1400 metres at Sandown.
At Caulfield, she settled midfield and off the fence and let down powerfully in the straight to account for the farvourite Heresy (Street Boss {USA}), had did well after racing three wide, and Elusive Express (NZ) (Jakkalberry {Ire}) came from last to take third money.
She was bred by Ken King Thoroughbreds, who remain in the ownership, and is the first foal of Treasure Island (Duporth) and most notably the family of the G1 Emirates S. winner Hucklebuck (Elvstroem).
“Ken and Anna have been behind me all the way and we’re had a bit of success, but this one is the best we’ve had by far,” Corstens said.
Distance aids colt
Last season’s G2 VRC Sires’ Produce S. winner Lightsaber appreciated the return to 1400 metres in the Guineas Prelude and he will strip at peak for the upcoming G1 Caulfield Guineas with three runs this preparation under his belt.
He was sixth when resuming in the G3 Vain S. and then fourth in the G3 McNeil S. before returning to winning ways on Saturday.
“We’re very pleased with the result and it’s been all about building his fitness. He had improved with that last run and we’re looking forward to coming back for the Guineas,” stable representative, Katherine Coleman, said.
Lightsaber as a yearling.
Lightsaber was bred by Emirates Park and was offered by Aquis at the Inglis Classic Yearling Sale where he was bought by JCS Racing for $80,000. He was reoffered at the Inglis Ready2Race Sale and was knocked down the Bluebloods Thoroughbreds for $100,000.
He is a son of the unraced Dream Cirque (Dream Ahead {USA}) with the second dam Cirque De Soleil (Danehill {USA}) a sister to Champion Sire Fastnet Rock.
