A homebred for John Cordina, Romantic Choice set the pace in front at Geelong on Saturday in the $200,000 Listed Black Pearl Stakes (1200m) and was tenacious all the way to the line holding a neck margin on the post.
Trained by Tom Dabernig, the four year-old daughter of Toronado (IRE) has made rapid progress this preparation reeling off successive wins before a close last start fifth in the Listed MRC Christmas Stakes last month.
She kept up the good work for Jarrod Fry taking her overall record to six wins from 17 starts with prizemoney topping $300,000.
“I knew she was very fit coming today. She was able to find the lead and they couldn't get past her. It was a good strong front running ride from Jarrod to get the black type,” Dabernig said.
Romantic Choice is the 41st stakes-winner for Toronado and is the best of two winners from Choice Sunday, a placed half-sister by Duporth to dual Group I winning stayer Ace High, who was also raced by John Cordina.
Choice Sunday has a two year-old filly also by Toronado called Romantic Miss that is in work with Tom Dabernig and a yearling filly by Wootton Bassett (GB).
