[PHOTO: Western Racepix]
Oratorio three-year-old Influencing continued his rapid progression when stepping up to Saturday level for the first time and landing his fourth-straight win in Saturday’s Amelia Park Handicap (1400m) at Ascot.
Starting on the second line of betting at $5.50, the gelding was having his fourth start within 28 days and kept his undefeated record this campaign intact with an all-the-way victory.
Jockey Natasha Faithfull fired him straight to the lead from barrier four and the pair were able to get a soft time of it up front before cornering brilliantly and extending over the final furlong to defeat Bondi Plunge ($9) by just under a length on the line.
Race-favourite Premium Girl ($3.10) finished a further length-and-a-quarter away in third place.
Influencing won a barrier trial at Lark Hill on February 13 before breaking his maiden status at Pinjarra Scarpside first-up and making a charge through his classes with three consecutive metropolitan victories.
The all-ladies-owned gelding was purchased by Pearce Racing for $60,000 at the 2022 Perth Magic Millions sale and has now had seven career starts for four wins and earnings of $184,531 including Westspeed Platinum bonuses.
Later in the day fellow Pearce-trained stable Acromantula ran a brave second to exciting sprinter Wild Belle when beaten a half-length in the $100,000 Rock Magic Stakes (1000m).
The Pearce stable have six runners engaged at Pinjarra Scarpside on Sunday, highlighted by Queen Alina in the $150,000 Listed TABtouch Pinjarra Cup (2300m).