Spring races on radar for two-year-old Caulfield winner Salty Pearl

Stakes races during the spring carnival will be considered for striking grey Salty Pearl after her breakthrough win at Caulfield on Saturday.

Salty Pearl powers home at Caulfield to score her first win. Picture: Getty Images

Spring discussions could start for Salty Pearl after the unmissable filly broke through for her first win in the Sportsbet More Places Handicap (1200m).

The eye-catching grey had finished in the minor money in her first two autumn races, including when a well-held third in a Group 3 race in Adelaide second-up.

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Trainer Ciaron Maher decided to give the daughter of Tagaloa an easier time between runs, which left Salty Pearl fresher for Saturday’s Caulfield assignment.

“We didn’t think she was probably at her best over in Adelaide but she had a nice three-week gap between runs,” Maher’s representative Jack Turnbull said.

“We kept her really fresh.”

Salty Pearl eased from $6 to $8.50 in betting as punters supported Millennium Blade from $7 to $3.90 and Warrior Smile from $4.80 to $3.50.

However, a cool ride from jockey Ben Allen helped to derail those market moves as he steered Salty Pearl to a long neck win over Millennium Blade while $51 chance Eton Affair was four lengths away in third spot.

⚜️ New winner for #Tagaloa 👏

2YO filly Salty Pearl (ex Leaven Of Malice) rallies home and claims her maiden for @cmaherracing under Ben Allen at @MelbRacingClub Caulfield.

Congrats to her breeder, @brideoakeracing!#aworldofopportunitypic.twitter.com/PvwGL9Y8Kc

— Yulong Investments (@YulongInvest) May 31, 2025

Turnbull said Allen did well to resist the early pressure, preferring to let Salty Pearl relax off the speed.

“She got a little further back than we thought she would but it was a lovely steer by Ben to get the split inside and she had the good turn of foot,” Turnbull said.

“We thought we’d be behind the speed but there was more intent from other riders so he let the speed go.

“He didn’t panic.”

Turnbull said the manner of Salty Pearl’s win indicated minor stakes races during the spring were worth considering.

“She is professional. She’s had a few goes at it now and she’s tractable,” Turnbull said.

“Without having a chat to Ciaron, you’d now have to have a really good think about the spring.

“She obviously goes well and she’s on an upward trajectory.

“Races like the Cap D’Antibes and the Scarborough (Stakes), they’re those three-year-old sprints that you would look at.”