The new training partnership of Daniel and Ben Pearce is officially underway with the pair unveiling two runners at Belmont on Wednesday.
The brotherly-duo were represented by Bella’s Idol and Let’s Twist at the first meeting of the new 2017/18 racing season.
Four-year-old Bella’s Idol started the $3.10 favourite for the Seacorp Handicap on the back of three strong performances since resuming from a spell which included a win and two minor placings.
The Vital Equine gelding commenced the race only fairly, however, was forced to take up proceedings with no other runner keen to lead.
Rider Jarrad Noske set a solid tempo from there on and kicked two lengths clear turning for home as a fairytale start for Pearce Racing appeared to be looming.
But it wasn’t to be as Zoffany gelding Prized Catch ($5.60) motored home from the rear of the field to defeat Bella’s Idol by two-and-half lengths, with Culverin ($11.70) a further two lengths away in third place.
Let’s Twist ($7.00) tasted defeat in similar fashion in the Perth Racing Young Membership when hitting the front after mowing down tearaway leader Chancery, only to be overrun in the concluding stages.
The Statue Of Liberty staying mare was having her second start for the preparation and produced a brave performance to finish just a three-quarter length second to the heavily-backed favourite Fille De Merit ($2.10).
It was a promising start for the newest training combination in WA racing and the stable will be looking to go one better at Northam tomorrow when Pro Mutual lines up in the Avon River Festival Maiden event on the third race on the card.