Pearl proves a star for Jockey Russell

Carrying the colours of his Pearl Bloodstock, the Graham Motion-trained Star Pearl had no trouble landing the $100,000 prize, drawing clear to win by just over three lengths under Sheldon Russell.

The jockey said of Star Pearl: "She has really matured over the last year. She is very easy to ride. She broke nicely and put me in great spot going into the first turn. The race set up perfect. I was able to sit off the speed and when I asked her to go she dug in and finished up well."

Star Pearl, a daughter of Tapit, was recording her second North American Stakes score in the Nellie Morse, and has now won six of 13 career outings.

Her dam, Lexi Star, won the Nellie Morse eight years earlier for trainer Chris Grove and owner-breeder Stephen Quick, who is also the breeder of Star Pearl.