Queensland raid for Just Cala

The Gr.1 Breeders Crown winning mare Just Cala returned from her New Zealand Jewels campaign before being rushed to the warmth of the Queensland sunshine in preparation for her next harness racing target.

A successful stint in Victoria this season with outstanding couple Amanda Turnbull and Nathan Jack secured her an invitation to contest the Gr.1 $NZ150,000 4yo Mares Diamond at Ashburton where she finished a luckless 8th behind Lancewood Lizzie in a mile rate of 1;52.7.

Just Cala then flew back to Sydney before being shipped to the Gold Coast for a brief spell.

And regular trainer Dennis Picker is thrilled with her condition.

“She’s in very good order and the brief let-up was the best thing for her because the season has been quite long for her; plenty of hard racing followed by the trip to New Zealand left her in desperate need of a break so we got her straight to the Gold Coast.” Picker said.

The Art Major mare enjoyed 11 days rest and thrived in the lush conditions before rejoining the Picker stable that is based on the border at Tweed Heads for his annual winter sojourn.
Picker has a team of 7 in his care including a few new stock from New Zealand pacers but Just Cala is the star of his stable and will be set for the Gr.3 $30,000 Burwood Stud Fleur De Lil Ladyship Stakes at Albion Park on July 11.

“That’s her main aim in Brisbane; it looks a perfect race for her because of the conditions and she’ll be ready to go for that race. She’s back in full work now and I’m really happy with the way she’s going because she’s a happy and healthy mare.

“I’m planning on giving her a trial a week or so out from that race and that will bring her up to speed nicely. I didn’t make the trip to New Zealand myself but Joe (Owner) and my mother went along and said it was a great experience, she just had no luck in running with so many moves happening and she just got shuffled back before unleashing an unbelievable sectional.

“Plans after Brisbane remain very unclear; we bought her as a commercial broodmare prospect so she could be retired by the end of the season and go straight to stud.

Joe is keen to breed from her and sell her foals at the sales but we haven’t confirmed anything just yet but it’s likely.

We’ve been very lucky with her and winning the Breeders Crown was just fantastic.”

Just Cala has 10 wins and 10 minor placings from her 42 lifetime starts while banking more than $230,000.

Picker has a good mix of talent in his Queensland team and several of them are on the market.

Chris Barsby