Exciting three-year-old Money Maher lived up to the high opinion co-trainers Daniel and Ben Pearce have of him with an emphatic maiden black-type win at Ascot on Saturday.
The Al Maher colt started at $13.50 on tote but rocketed home from eighth position at the turn to score an impressive two-length win over Achenar Star ($3.60) in the $100,000 Listed Conquer Cystic Fibrosis Fairetha Stakes (1400m).
Reykjavik ($18.10) finished a further three-quarter-length away in third place.
Expertly navigated out of congestion by stable hoop Jarrad Noske after being hemmed in close to the rail, Money Maher displayed a dazzling turn-of-foot and is now sure to attract plenty of support in the $500,000 Group Two WA Guineas (1600m) in two week’s time.
His win brought up the second leg of a winning double for Pearce Racing after Tenterden ($5.80) scored a tough win in the Ballpoint Construction Group Handicap (1000m) earlier in the day.
Regular rider Peter Hall settled the Danehill Express six-year-old outside of the leader in running before hitting the front at the 200m mark and fighting on strongly to hold off Universal Moon ($13.70) by a half-length.
Glimmer Girl ($6.60) finished a further nose away in third place.
The Pearce brothers have now trained 27 winners and 35 minor placegetters from 148 starters so far this season.