[PHOTO: Western Racepix]
Flying Artie mare Pacific Lady justified the good opinion the Pearce stable has always held of her when winning first-up from a spell at Pinjarra on Thursday.
Backed from $10 into $5 in early betting off the back of a Lark Hill trial win 10 days earlier, the newly turned four-year-old ended up starting favourite in the Belle’s Park Training Maiden (1000m) down the straight-five course.
Champion hoop William Pike positioned the mare just behind the leading brigade in running before asking her for an effort at the 250m mark and she responded brilliantly to reel in race-leader Incandescent Lady ($10) and win by a short neck.
Linden’s Gold ($7) finished a further one-and-a-half lengths away in third place.
Purchased for $22,500 at the 2021 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, Pacific Lady has been a slow-maturing type but has always shown co-trainers Daniel and Ben Pearce above-average ability behind the scenes.
The stable will be represented by Galaxy Affair and Bird’s The Word in Friday’s Terra Drilling Kambalda Cup (1400m) at Kalgoorlie, as well as Mystery Bullet, Rubick Delight, Flying The Flag, Dancin’ Devil and Laughing Buddha in support races on the nine-event card, before Saturday’s Belmont meeting where Westriver Miracle is engaged.