[PHOTO: Western Racepix]
Surf Patrol and Exceltrain brought up a Pearce Racing double at Albany on Thursday when justifying their short-priced favouritism in their respective races.
Both ridden by jockey Tash Faithfull, Bondi three-year-old Surf Patrol ($2.10) got proceedings underway when taking out the Emu Point Maiden (1230m) at his third race start.
Faithfull settled the gelding leaders-back from barrier two before extricating him into the clear on straightening and he looked raw when he let down but was still good enough to defeat Capable Angel ($9) by just under a length.
Summer Mood ($4.40) finished a further nose away in third place.
The Lynward Park Stud-bred Surf Patrol put the writing on the wall with a fast-finishing third at Bunbury 21 days prior and ran a strong fourth on debut prior to that.
Later in the day consistent gelding Exceltrain started a raging $1.55 favourite in the Little Beach Handicap (1500m) and toyed with rivals when leading from start to finish and romping in by almost five lengths.
The Spirit Of Boom gelding relished a drop in grade after racing exclusively in Saturday class at his previous 11 starts and defeated Sacred Oath ($6.50) in the softest of wins, with Bentley Beau ($4.60) a further half-length away in third.
Bred by Oakland Park Stud, Exceltrain has now had 26 career starts for six wins, seven minor placings and $181,262 in total earnings.
Meanwhile, stablemate Southern Scandal ran a close third on the day to cap off a fruitful day for the Pearce yard from its three runners.
The stable will saddle up Noble Connection at Esperance on Friday before Saturday’s Ascot meeting where Let’s Galahvant will line up in the $1.5 million Group 1 TABtouch Northerly Stakes (1800m), with stablemates Richanco and Climb On Top also engaged in support races on the bumper nine-event card.