Bonus Pearl Series Payments Claimed at Riccarton

Five NZB Insurance Pearl Series registered fillies and mares put on a solid performance in the the NZB Insurance Handicap (1200m) at Riccarton last Saturday, with Our Girl Gilly (NZ) (Guillotine) secured the first NZB Insurance Pearl Series bonus since the COVID-19 lockdown.

Storming down the home straight to place second in the race, the Michael & Matthew Pitman-trained mare was the first Pearl Series registered horse home earning her connections an $11,500 bonus.

Owners Ken and Bev Voyce were overwhelmed by Our Girl Gilly’s Pearl Series bonus payment.

“We were so thrilled with her first Pearl Series win back in January and thought that was unbelievable, but to get another bonus is really amazing.

“We would like to thank NZB Insurance for the opportunity and for sponsoring such a great series for fillies,” commented Voyce.

Third placegetter, Papagena (NZ) (Tavistock), was the second Pearl Series registered mare home, earning an extra $3000 bonus for owner Roger Finlay who was delighted by the benefit.

“A very welcome bonus made our first start back since the COVID-19 lockdown even more special.

“It was nice to be back racing and this put the icing on the cake.

“I think the Pearl Series is a great initiative to keep our fillies and mares racing in New Zealand,” he said.

The next Pearl Series races take place at Te Rapa and Awapuni on Saturday.

Four Pearl registered fillies and mares have been accepted among a mixed sex field in Race 3, a Rating 64 Handicap race over 1000m scheduled to take place at 11.30am at Te Rapa.

In Awapuni, three Pearl registered fillies and mares have been accepted in a mixed sex field in Race 9, a Rating 61 Handicap over 1400m running at 3.28pm.

Since its inauguration, the NZB Insurance Pearl Series bonus scheme has seen millions of dollars paid out to Southern Hemisphere-bred filly and mare owners, breeders, trainers and nominators making it an integral part of the New Zealand racing industry.

Nominate your yearling filly here or by emailing [email protected]. If you wish to discuss further call the Pearl Hotline on 07 827 7727. Registrations close 31 July 2020.