DEAR PRUDENCE SHOWS A MIXTURE OF HEART AND ABILITY TO WIN HER FIRST START FOR HER NEW STABLE

By Graham Potter | Sunday, February 11, 2024

First start for the Tony and Maddysen Sears stable. First win from her new base.

Sound familiar?

That was the story of the black, three-year-old Proisir filly Dear Prudence who claimed her first success in a Maiden Plate over 1000m at the Sunshine Coast on February 11.

The filly arrived at the Sears yard having had two unplaced runs at Hawksbury for trainer Joe Pride, and she was first-up here after five months away from race action ... on a heavy 10 racing surface no less ... so, there was always a chance, in theory, that she might need the run and she did have to jump from the worst of the draw ... two factors which arguably helped see her drift out in the betting from $5.50 to $8.

But, as it turned out, it was an easy watch for the connections of Dear Prudence.

Angela Jones pushed the filly into a clear lead early. Jones then strung the field out at a measured gallop, having Dear Prudence a comfortable two lengths clear of her nearest rival all the way to the home turn.

Initially Dear Prudence then extended that advantage on straightening, but Becamo ($6.50), who had held down second spot throughout the running, was now in for the fight and he started to close in on Dear Prudence ... slowly at first, but then with real menace.

Becamo was just three-quarters of a length back with 150m left to run as he placed Dear Prudence under severe pressure ... but the Sears trained runner remained committed and oh so brave as she refused to be beaten, staying on with a mixture of heart and ability to claim victory by 0.20 lengths.

This battle for the lead had carried Dear Prudence a full 4.25 lengths of the third placed runner, further emphasising the merit in her effort.

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