The TCL TV Stakes (1700m) is a race that has notably thrown up potential top fillies on Ladies’ Day in the past, with last year’s winner Tralee Rose going on to run in this year’s Lexus Melbourne Cup and 2019 victress Nudge twice placed at Group 1 level subsequently.
There may not be the same high hopes with Plucky Pirouette, but the four-year-old mare produced a gutsy half-length win over Parisian Dancer to take the prize under an emotional Brett Prebble, who dedicated the win to his late grandmother.
“I lost my nan yesterday and I’m sure all the family would be at home watching, as she would be,” he said. “Plucky Pirouette hit a flat patch today but she was really strong on the line so I had time for a salute!
“She’s a little country cups horse in the next month or two. We are going to have a lot of fun with her, she’s very tough and honest. She just tried her heart out with the big weight.”
For Kennedy’s head trainer Caroline Jennings, who has only just shifted to a new base at Flemington, it was a timely result for the Kennedy Racing operation.
“She’s our first winner here since our stables have been here and our first winner at Flemington on ‘home turf’,” Jennings said. “Go Plucky. I’m delighted for her and the team. It’s really incredible to be a part of this week and to be a part of Kennedy Oaks Day and have a winner, it’s special.
“Luck just wasn’t on her side (at Hamilton) but we’ll forget about that. We’ll remember today and we’ll remember (the win at) Mornington. I’m delighted. Brett has been doing a lot with us at the track and I’m standing on the shoulders of many. I couldn’t be happier.”
Image: Brett Prebble salutes his late grandmother in the TCL TV Stakes. (Image: Racing Photos)
