Pearl Secret goes one place better in the Temple Stakes

Saturday 23 May 2015 17:27, UK

Pearl Secret went one place better than 12 months ago as he powered to victory in the betfred.com Temple Stakes at Haydock.

One of three sprinters carrying the colours of owners Qatar Racing, the David Barron-trained six-year-old had to hold the late surge of Jack Dexter.

Goldream and Take Cover set the pace in a fast and furious five-furlong dash until the pack closed in.

And in a dramatic race that saw last year's winner Hot Streak slowly away, Sprint Cup victor G Force almost brought down and Great Minds hampered as the pack tightened up at the business end, it was Pearl Secret (10-1) who lifted the Group Two spoils under George Baker

Jack Dexter, who was also interfered with, came late on the scene and was only a neck down at the line.

Wind Fire was half a length away in third.

Baker said: "We went a good, strong gallop. He relaxed into a lovely rhythm. I probably got there a bit too soon,. he idled when he got to the front. He's a smart horse on his day.

"I could see how tight it was and I went for a safe passage, which paid off."

Pearl Secret was slashed to 14-1 from 20-1 for the King's Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot with Sky Bet who also quote him at 20-1 for the Diamond Jubilee.

Barron said: "We've been waiting for that to happen for a while. It's always a bit difficult with him, though, as he needs some give in the ground.

"We trained him all winter and never missed a day, and then when he ran in France two weeks ago he ran so badly we wondered why we'd bothered. I gave him a piece of work on Monday which was very good and that's all I've done with him.

"He wouldn't go to Ascot if it was firm, as he wants the ground no quicker than today.

"He's always been very quick, and has taken our eye from day one."

Jim Goldie was once again proud of his stalwart Jack Dexter, despite his losing run stretching back to November 2013.

"He's run very well again, he's getting there," said the Glasgow trainer.

"I didn't put him in the Diamond Jubilee this year and we've trained him as a five-furlong horse.

"That will hopefully have put him spot on for Ascot and the King's Stand. Two years ago these two finished side by side in the King's Stand and they've done so again."

David Brown believed Wind Fire justified the faith he has shown in her.

He said: "People say I keep tilting at windmills with her but she was an unlucky loser for me. He's had to switch round them all and she's flown.

"She'll have to go to Ascot after that, I'm sure she's got a big one in her."

David O'Meara was just glad G Force lives to fight another day after a rough passage.

"He was lucky not to get brought down, as he clipped heels. It's a shame as he was in the process of running a nice race," said O'Meara.

"As a hold-up horse, though, it won't be the last time that will happen."

Image: Fabricate and Adam Kirby in the Queens colours win the Jack Berry House Handicap at Haydock
Image: The sun shines and flowers bloom around the Nijinsky statue at The Curragh
Image: Ryan Moore arrives ready for action
Image: Miss Katie Mae takes the opening contest
Image: The Corsican strikes at Goodwood
Image: Seamour leads home a one-two for Brian Ellison at Haydock
Image: Round Two impresses at the Curragh
Image: Ayrad leads the field home to win the 888 Tapster Stakes
Image: Mutarakez impresses in the Silver Bowl
Image: Mustajeeb could be a sprinter to follow
Image: There's another Goodwood winner for Mark Johnston as Enlace fends off the late lunge of King To Be
Image: Blhadawa springs a surprise in the Cecil Frail Stakes
Image: Gleneagles bursts between runners in the Guineas
Image: And quickens clear in style
Image: Gleneagles with trainer Aidan O'Brien, his wife Annmarie, daughters Sarah and Ana and groom Pat Keating
Image: Bournemouth Belle justifies the odds-on quotes in the maiden
Image: Pearl Secret wins the Temple Stakes at Haydock
Image: Brooch is still unbeaten after winning at the Curragh
Image: Quest For Moore holds off the late challenge of Oasis Fantasy
Image: Eccleston is produced late at Haydock
Image: Divine Call continues Franny Norton's glorious run in Sussex
Image: Richard Hughes gets Duca Valentinois up at the Curragh
Image: Amazour lands the last on Merseyside
Image: Hasanour and Shane Foley do the same at the Curragh