Hidden Pearl a gem at Eagle Farm

From the day Hidden Pearl walked into trainer Barry Lockwood’s Eagle Farm stable he was convinced she would one day win a stakes race.

After 18 months and eight wins, Hidden Pearl confirmed Lockwood’s rating when she won Saturday’s Listed Falvelon Quality in record time for the Eagle Farm 1000 metres.

Ridden by Brad Pengelly, Hidden Pearl ($3) led all the way to beat South Australian visitor Viddora ($7) by three-quarters of a length.

The mare clocked 56.59 seconds, with her 600m in 32.9sec.

Hidden Pearl will now head to the Magic Millions Sprint (1200m) on January 14.

“That was the plan all along as we were after a wild card invitation to the Magic Millions today,” Lockwood said.

“She will head there now. I don’t see the 1200 metres will be any problem.”

Hidden Pearl has now earned $324,000 prize money and Lockwood believes there is a lot more to come.

“She was one of those horses which come into your stable a maiden but you get the feeling they could be something special,” Lockwood said.

Pengelly said Hidden Pearl had shown a lot of pace early but he had been able to give her a little break coming around the turn.

“She then found plenty when I asked her,” Pengelly said.

Pengelly rode Hidden Pearl at 54kg, the bottom of his weight range and he is now hoping she gets a handicap he can make in the Millions Sprint which is set weights with penalties.