She's A Pearl Involved In Dramatic Late Scratching

TRAINER Andy Lord has heaped praise on chief steward Wade Birch after She's A Pearl was sensationally scratched 10 minutes before jump time at Wentworth Park on Saturday night.

The reigning Golden Easter Egg and Million Dollar Chase queen was an unbackable $1.05 favourite to annex race four at headquarters in a six-dog field.

But upon arrival at kennelling, kennel representative Paul Mills told officials that the daughter of Aston Dee Bee had come on season with the only prudent course of action to withdraw her from the race.

"Paul called me at Pheasant's Nest and told me she'd started bleeding," Lord said.

"AN ABSOLUTE SUPERSTAR"

She's A Pearl takes out the TAB Million Dollar Chase in magnificent fashion! ?? pic.twitter.com/CXmVhKy7W7

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) May 7, 2022

"It made sense because when I loaded her in the van to leave home she growled at the other dogs which she's never done before. I told Paul to let the steward and vet know when he gets to the track that she's on season and have her taken out.

"There's no way I wanted her going around on season."

Following routine veterinary inspection it's understood there was a differing opinion as to whether the superstar sprinter was in fact on season with the hopes of having her scratched resisted.

With word swirling about the developing situation, She's A Pearl drifted in some markets from $1.05 out to $1.20 before chief steward Wade Birch called Jodie and Andy Lord in the lead-up to the event.

"Wade called us and asked our thoughts knowing we know our dogs better than anyone else," Lord said.

"With a bitch on season you don't know what could happen. She's a $1.05 and the best dog in the sport. What if she comes out and fights or pulls up knowing what we know?

"Full credit to Wade for showing initiative and commonsense and making the decision he did. I guarantee she's on season. No doubt."

Lord says the season of She's A Pearl, the first while in his care, is a blessing.

"It's been a worry that she'll come on at the wrong time," Lord said.

"If she came on say in August that's the next Million Dollar Chase and Melbourne Cup out the door. She'd miss all those big races.

"With her coming on now we'll work through it and then not have to worry about it until after Christmas again at least."