Boundtobehonoured made a remarkable comeback at Counties on Thursday when taking out the NZB Insurance Pearl Series Race by 2-1/2 lengths.

The Tony Pike-trained mare was involved in a race fall at Ruakaka last year, which resulted in injuries to her rider Shafiq Rusof, and Danielle Johnson, who was riding the trailing horse Tantalising.

There were fears that the daughter of Darci Brahma wouldn’t make it back to the track, but after rehabilitation and a couple of trials she was able to make a raceday return.

“It was well deserved (the win),” Pike’s Racing Manager Dean Williams said. “We were a bit worried after that fall at Ruakaka about whether she would come back.

“But she trialled up well the other day, she needed that confidence booster.

“Troy (Harris, jockey) did a nice job that day, he just worked her through a gap and she has worked well since. We have always had a good opinion of her, so it was good to see her do that today.”

Harris was onboard for the victory on Thursday and believes Boundtobehonoured will thrive on winter racing after performing so well on the slow7 surface.

“Her trial was very good,” he said. “I gave her a quiet one and she performed well today. She got through it (slow7 track) very well, I think these sorts of tracks will suit her.”

Boundtobehonoured was bred and is part-owned by Terry and Vicki Pascoe of Club Med Lodge, who take home the lion’s share of the $11,500 Pearl Series bonus.

-NZ Racing Desk