Horse in class of her own at $120k Southland Guineas
"I've done a lot of trips to the Stradbroke and I think she's got the credentials for it."
Jamie Searle is a long-time racing writer. For more of his work check out the Southland Thoroughbreds Facebook page.
"She's viciously competitive, we don't know what her limit is."
Those were the comments of owner Colin Wightman after Pivotal Ten won by nearly nine lengths in the $120,000 ILT Ascot Park Hotel Southland Guineas (1400m) at Ascot Park on Saturday.
It was arguably the best winning performance in Southland this season.
She won the $80,000 Gore Guineas by six lengths a fortnight earlier.
Pivotal Ten increased the speed passing the 600m on Saturday and coming round the home turn, was in full flight for North Canterbury trainer-jockey Sam Wynne.
Wightman believed Pivotal Ten had the ability to race in the Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) in Brisbane. It is held in June and worth $A3 million.
"I've done a lot of trips to the Stradbroke and I think she's got the credentials for it," he said.
Christchurch filly Canterbury Belle won the Stradbroke when it was named the Elders Handicap in 1985.
Meanwhile, Wightman has had eight offers to sell Pivotal Ten in the past two months but no deal eventuated.
Saturday's win was her fifth straight success and moved her record to five wins and a second from seven starts. Pivotal Ten's stake earnings stand at $197,550.
Her short term goal is the $250,000 Wellington Guineas on March 22. She will not be starting in the Dunedin Guineas on March 1.
Wightman has eight horses in training with Wynne and another eight grazing and waiting to come into work.