Quiet
achiever Al Maher added a new stakes-winner to his tally when progressive mare
River Delta landed the $120,000 Listed Black Pearl Classic at Geelong on Friday.
A homebred for Contract Racing, the Peter Moody trained River Delta was
resuming from a spell and scored a tenacious half head win in the 1200 metre
sprint as favourite.
River Delta has the impressive record of four wins and a placing from five
starts with prizemoney of $238,500.
She is a three-quarter sister to Group III winner Kulgrinda and is one of five
winners from five to race from stakes-placed River Crossing, a half-sister by
Bellotto (USA) to Group I winner River Dove.
River Crossing has an unnamed two year-old filly by Al Maher and a yearling
filly by Helmet, who is the last foal from the mare who was retired last year.
River Delta is the 23rd stakes-winner for Al Maher, who has a runner
this Saturday in the Cox Plate with classy three year-old Almalad seeking to
give Gai Waterhouse her first win in the weight-for-age championship.
Al Maher stands at the value fee of $16,500 at Emirates Park.