Alice’s former grandlady seals Rosebowl

Fri, July 16 2010

SHEILA Arnold ensured a fitting end to Ladies' Day when Piclesia landed a dogged win in the Fernwood Rose Bowl (1300m) at Fannie Bay.

While she is based these days in Bendigo, Arnold is the matriarch of a truly great Territory horse racing family and was beaming after winning the time-honoured $30,000 race.

The success was witnessed by her son, champion jockey Steven, while Piclesia's owner - renowned bookmaker Terry Lillis was a happy man as Kim Gladwin brought the Iglesia mare back to the winner's stall.

Certainly the four-year-old earned the acclimation, after staving off a series of attacks to score a half-length win.

In the home straight alone Little Raptor, Princess Conny and finally Ishiever loomed large, but none of the three were able to match Piclesia's tenacity according to Gladwin.

"1300m is probably a bit far for her and everything was sort of coming at us, but she kept whacking away and got there in the end," Gladwin said.

Amazingly for someone who boasts some six Alice Springs Cup and a couple of Darwin Cup wins in her career, yesterday's Rosebowl was Arnold's first.

"Yes it is - I'm pleased to win it with this horse because she is such a fighter and loves it here in Darwin," Arnold said.

"I'm pleased for her owner because he has been very patient with her, we've had her since she was a yearling."

Piclesia ($4.60 into $4 on track) landed some good bets following her fourth career win from just 13 appearances

Photo Courtesy Gregor Mactaggart - NT News