Safeguard mare Kiralui overcame a fleeting setback approaching the furlong to get up for a gutsy victory for Namerik Thoroughbreds owner-breeder Alan Bansemer in the Ascend Trophies Hcp (1400m) at Belmont on Wednesday.
Kiralui (Photo / Western Racepix) wins a race every prep for Pearce Racing but it appeared she would have to wait for another day when Willie Pike was forced to change tack after attempting a run on the inside of Village Girl (Universal Ruler). After peeling around heels, she split a gap for a narrow victory over Miss Wall Street (Manhattan Rain) and her stablemate Galaxy Affair (Marchant Navy)
Just back from a European holiday, Pike admitted he was in two minds what run to take in the straight. “I was a bit undecided and thought Ben (Pearce) would be growling at me. But my mare stuck her nose out over the last 50 metres and really wanted it.”
Kiralui (6m Safeguard – Acclaimed by Hussonet) broke her maiden at Bunbury in October 2023 and has now banked $122,000 following wins at Belmont and Bunbury (2) last season. The flashy chestnut is a younger full-sister to Stay Safe who was runner-up in a G2 WA Guineas (1600m) before transferring to NSW.
Their dam Acclaimed was bred by Peters Investments and her latest foal for Bansemer from his Serpentine nursery is a 2yo filly by Rommel. There are a numerous Stakes-winning close relations in the family including Perth-based Petrol Power (G3 Sir Ernest Lee-Steere Classic) and Caipirinha (LR Placid Ark Stakes).
“That was Willie at his best and Kiralui deserved that win,” Ben Pearce said. “She’s a consistent mare and settled nicely off a hot tempo. Then she took that gap and finished it off like a mile will suit.”
Pearce Racing also trains Safeguard mare Sinful Living who added black-type to her resume when placed in the LR Beaufine Stakes (1000m) at Pinjarra in July. She is the 13th black-type performer by Safeguard who also owns a 63% winners-to-runners strike-rate.
Mogumber Park stands Safeguard (Exceed And Excel) for $4,400 (inc GST) alongside Marine One (Capitalist) for $7,000 (inc GST). For bookings or more information call Colin Brown on 0408 251 880.
