Racing around the globe

A double in Australia for two maiden fillies was a Friday highlight for the team

Ciarlet, trained by Chris Waller and ridden by Hugh Bowman, finished first of seven at Cranbourne for Qatar Bloodstock, while the Robert Smerdon-trained Pearl Congenial won at Canterbury under Craig Williams.

Geoffrey Faber, Qatar Bloodstock's representative in Australia, said of Ciarlet: ‚"She was given a fine ride by Hugh under the big weight of 60.5kgs, and she showed a nice turn of foot in the straight to win by a length.‚"

Of Pearl Congenial, Faber said: ‚"She did a great job to win, because she was done no favours in the run. Wide all the way, she hit a flat spot and then knuckled down well at the finish. She is a gem.‚"

Hopefully both fillies can progress as the summer rolls on.

At Churchill Downs in America, Qatar Racing's recent acquisition Shelbysmile stepped up to Grade Two company for a crack at the Mrs Revere Stakes, in which she finished fifth of 11 for the stable of Brendan Walsh.

While the focus of racing in Japan tomorrow will be the Japan Cup meeting in Tokyo, Pearl Bloodstock will be following events at Kyoto, where leading French jockey Mickael Barzalona will don the familiar colours to ride Great Pearl (pictured right) for Mitsu Nakauchida's stable.

A course and distance winner at Kyoto on October 10 when making his debut on dirt, three-year-old Great Pearl is one of 16 runners in tomorrow's test (13.30 local time, 04.30 in UK).