The Lance Noble-trained Sistabeel added a third win to her record when taking out the NZB Insurance Pearl Series Race (1200m) at Avondale on Wednesday.

 

Sistabeel jumped away well from the ace barrier and settled in the trail behind pacemaker Cin Cin for jockey Leith Innes.

 

Innes was able to find some clear racing room down the straight where Sistabeel was able to lengthen and win by 1-1/4 lengths over Cin Cin, with a further three quarters of a length back to Witchery in third.

 

“It was very good and panned out really well,” Noble said. “Leith rode her perfectly and got a nice split at the right time and it was very pleasing.

 

“It’s great to see the Cambridge Stud colours have been to the fore lately and hopefully that goes into the sales for them.”

 

Progeny of Sistabeel may appear in future sales drafts for the stud, with the Savabeel mare set to join the broodmare band of the Cambridge farm in the coming months.

 

“She is in-foal to Tavistock and doesn’t have too many runs left,” Noble said. “I think we’ll get another race out of her, but she has done a great job and she’ll join the broodmare band at Cambridge Stud and I am sure she will do a great job.” 

 

 

 

The Ciaron Maher and David Eustace-trained Grand Bernini scored his maiden victory at Moe on Wednesday, which was nearly as eye-catching as his colour.

 

The white son of Shamexpress disappointed on debut when tailing the field home at Bairnsdale last month. However, he more than made up for that performance at Moe on Wednesday, winning his 1014m maiden contest by five lengths.

 

“Being a small field we got away well and it was important to get him into a good rhythm. He had a few gear changes today, which also helped him,” jockey Jye McNeil said.

 

“Hopefully he can mature and go on through the grades.”

 

Stable representative Mark Larker was happy with the run and said Grand Bernini’s trainers have taken a patient approach with their showy runner.

 

“The horse has got ability, he has put together some really nice gallops at Sandown. He’s still learning his craft and when he does gallop properly at Sandown he gallops beautifully,” Larker said.

 

“Ciaron and David have been patient with him and I think that is the key going forward.”

 

Grand Bernini was purchased by Ciaron Maher in partnership with the China Horse Club for $510,000 out of Windsor Park Stud’s 2017 New Zealand Bloodstock Premier Yearling Sale draft.