Middleham Park’s Tim Palin is hoping Pershaada can justify her pre-booked ticket to the Breeders’ Cup as she lines up in the Flying Childers on Friday.
The daughter of Persian Force has been a sharp improver this season following her debut at Wolverhampton in April. Following another defeat at Southwell, she got off the mark in good style at Goodwood in May.
Despite being sent off at long odds, Pershaada showed plenty of zip to finish fourth in the Queen Mary. She backed that up when winning the Molecomb next time out, booking her spot at the Breeders’ Cup. While the Nunthorpe was perhaps a step too far, connections believe she can return to form at Doncaster.
Speaking to the Racing Post, Middleham Park’s racing manager Tim Palin said: “This is more of a race for her. Rather than the hurly-burly of the Nunthorpe, and we go there very hopeful.
“It’s a Group 2, so it represents a step up from the Molecomb, but she has faced most of the rivals before, or they’re horses of a similar ilk.” Pershaada had the re-opposing Sale Shark four lengths behind at Goodwood, who franked that form in listed company at York. Crownbreaker, El Floridita and Fast Track have also been well behind her this season.
Palin continued, saying: “She’s all speed and we’d love the rain to stay away because her best form is on rattling ground. Although she did win her novice on good. It’s good to soft, good in places now and her participation is not in doubt. But drying ground would suit her.”
“It’s an important day in her life” – Tim Palin
The Flying Childers to Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint was a successful formula for Big Evs in 2023, and connections are hoping Pershaada can emulate it.
Palin went on, stating: “We left her in the Cheveley Park yesterday. But that is shaping up to be one of the hottest races of the season. We’re only in there in case the race falls apart slightly.
“That’s over six furlongs and we think she’s best over five. We’d like to see her bounce back on Friday. Which is not a given because she had a reasonably hard race in the Nunthorpe. Then we could look at the Breeders’ Cup.
“The Molecomb was a ‘win and you’re in’ for Keeneland and she’d go for the Juvenile Turf Sprint. So this would probably be her Breeders’ Cup trial. It’s an important day in her life.”