Trainer Henry Dwyer is confident Precious Gem is a serious chance of success in Saturday’s Group 1 Tattersall’s Tiara (1400m) at Eagle Farm Racecourse.
Precious Gem should prove tough to beat in Saturday’s Group 1 Tattersall’s Tiara at Eagle Farm. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos
Precious Gem has been a strong and consistent performer through her entire racing career so far in posting eight wins and a further ten minors through thirty-six starts, but has undoubtedly returned to competition this year in career-best condition.
Running a close second in the Listed Hareeba Stakes (1200m) first-up on April 2nd, the Econsul mare savaged the line for success in the Listed Anniversary Vase (1400m) before breaking through for a maiden win at the highest level, as a $21 outsider in the Group 1 Robert Sangster Stakes (1200m) at Morphettville on May 7th.
Having made up ground late when sixth in the Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) a fortnight ago, Dwyer told Racing Ahead he is confident the mare remains in the right form to overcome the talented Tattersall’s Tiara field.
“I think she’ll definitely run to her best,” Dwyer said.
“In the Sangster, I wasn’t confident that’d be good enough but it was. I think she’ll run up to that race here.
“Azkadellia‘s a good mare, she was probably in the wrong part of the track as we were in the Stradbroke, and we put a couple of lengths on her pretty easily.
“She’d have to do something pretty amazing to turn the tables I would’ve thought.”
Precious Gem began her career under the guidance of Gwenda Johnstone in late 2012, and has delivered a number of standout results at black type level through each of her subsequent preparations.
Placing second in the Group 2 Let’s Elope Stakes (1400m) upon resuming last spring, Precious Gem failed to figure in her next few starts and was transferred to the care of Dwyer; immediately responding to the change in surroundings with a classy win in the Building Engineering Trophy (1400m) on December 12th.
Drawn in the ideal barrier 4, Precious Gem has been confirmed to be partnered by in-form hoop Blake Shinn and is currently available at 2016 Tattersall’s Tiara odds of $8 with Ladbrokes Australia.
