Written by Brad Waters for Punters
Consistent mare Romantic Choice could find herself on a ferry to Tasmania after prevailing in the Listed Black Pearl Stakes at Geelong.
The Tasmanian Summer Carnival is an attractive option for Victorian gallopers with the Group 3 Mystic Journey Stakes (1200m) in February a possible target for Romantic Choice.
The Toronado mare, $15 in betting, became a stakes winner in determined fashion after boxing on gamely in under jockey Jarrod Fry in the last 200m to stave off the $2.30 favourite She’s Bulletproof.
Romantic Choice took up her customary on-pace role but had to enter new territory in the last 100m as she had never won over 1200m in her previous 16 starts.
However, the Tom Dabernig-trained mare had a head to spare over She’s Bulletproof on the line.

Image Courtesy of Racing Photos
“We had a nice time out in front and it really suited her,” Fry said.
“A few runners that were back on the inside had been stopping. So I sort of navigated my way off the inside.
“On the line, we were probably all out, but we were in front when it counted.”
Dabernig said he had to decide whether to keep racing Romantic Choice while she was in peak form or give the four-year-old a break.
“I think when you’ve got these mares in form, it’s tricky to stop,” Dabernig said.
“Sometimes you stop and they come back and they’re not the same.
“So if she’s doing well, which at the moment she’s thriving, hopefully she pulls out well again and we can consider something like that (a trip to Tasmania).”
Romantic Choice gave the Warrnambool-based Dabernig his second stakes win over the Christmas and New Year period after Ashford Street won the Listed Christmas Stakes at Caulfield on Boxing Day.
Dabernig said Romantic Choice’s fourth behind Ashford Street in the Christmas Stakes was the perfect lead-up to the Black Pearl Stakes.
“She’s had a great prep,” Dabernig said.
“Her run at Caulfield last start behind Ashford Street, she only got beat a length-and-a-half and I knew she was very fit coming today.”
Pharari continued her strong campaign with a fast-finishing third.