Trainer Lyons looks optimistic despite Lightening Pearl’s disappointing performance in the Qipco 1,000
Lightening Pearl’s disappointing performance in Sunday’s mega event has not disheartened her trainer, Ger Lyons, who is hoping that she can make a comeback in the future races to come.
The filly, who was whelped on 15th February, 2009, had a lot of hopes and expectations pinned to her for this race, but she finished thirteenth in the Qipco 1,000 Guineas Stakes (British Champions Series) at Newmarket.
Despite this setback, Ger Lyons looks optimistic about her future, as he told the press that:
"It was just one of those days, unfortunately. It was a bit of a funny race as the first and last furlongs were slow and they were sprinting in the middle part of the race."
Lyons further commented on the event and stated that the horses had to wait for 25 minutes in the stalls before the race started which greatly affected their performance.
He stated that the young runner ran well and tried to keep up, but could not do so as she fell way behind.
The delay was caused by Gray Pearl, who was trapped in the stalls and could not be released; as a result of this the runner had to be put down as she sustained an injury to her spinal cord.
The tragedy of Gray Pearl has put things in perspective for the trainer in identifying the important thing that his filly is still up and running, while the connections of Gray Pearl lost theirs.
The trainer also stated that he is keeping his options open for the future race, as she is likely to compete in the Irish Guineas and the July Cup.
There is also a possibility that she might compete at York over the summer.
Based on her previous performances, the punters really kept a keen eye on her. She concluded her previous season with a victory as she defeated, Sunday Times in the Jaguar Cars Cheveley Park Stakes at the same track in September, 2011.
Out of her six career starts, the Pearl Bloodstock Ltd owned filly has scored thrice and will certainly be racing in order to add more victories to her record.
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