Victorian-bred mare Heavens Showgirl is proving a good purchase for Ravenswood trainer Nathan Turvey, Ben Irvine, Glenn Jordan, Maddy Coles, Peter Ensell and Ken Lally.
Turvey, looking for a mare who could develop into a good earner in Western Australia, took a liking to Heavens Showgirl and was impressed with her record in Victoria. He was pleased to be able to purchase her just over three months ago for $20,000, and the five-year-old has shown sparkling speed to win at five of her first seven starts for her new owners, earning $53,839 to take her record to 33 starts for 11 wins and 11 placings for stakes of $93,033.
“I picked her because I thought she had an okay record and that there was an opportunity for a mare to succeed in Western Australia,” said Turvey.
Heavens Showgirl, favourite at $2.20, began brilliantly from the No. 5 barrier in the 2130m Catalano Truck And Equipment Pace at Gloucester Park on Friday night to burst straight to the front. Emily Suvaljko then enjoyed an armchair drive, with Heavens Showgirl bowling along in the lead and winning by three and a half lengths from Henwood Bay, who trailed her throughout.
Heavens Showgirl rated 1.55.2 after sprinting home over the final 800m in 56.3sec.
Turvey well remembers Heavens Showgirl’s WA debut when she started from the No. 1 barrier in a race at 2130m race at Gloucester Park on March 16.
“From barrier one she felt like she had no idea what to do, but then after about 20 metres she gathered speed,” he said. Heavens Showgirl then was untroubled to set the pace and win by four lengths at a 1.55.5 rate.
“She then drew No. 1 at her next two starts (at Bunbury and Gloucester Park) and just felt electric (at the start).” She won easily in both those events.
Turvey now plans to “just keep her going around” before Heavens Showgirl hopefully will be able to be set for the rich feature events for mares in the summer months.
by Ken Casellas