[PHOTO: Western Racepix]
A winning double at Northam on Thursday saw Pearce Racing celebrate its 500th winner since brothers Daniel and Ben Pearce joined forces as a training partnership eight years ago.
Power four-year-old Prince kicked off the day on the right note when justifying his $1.80 favouritism by taking out the AFGRI Equipment Handicap (1000m) with Tash Faithfull aboard.
The gelding settled outside the lead and headed the pacemaker from the outset but he was still able to find another gear over the final furlong to kick clear and defeat Seeyouatthesession ($3.20) by just over a half length.
Shakerato ($61) finished a further two lengths away in third place.
The lightly-raced Prince has returned a sharply improved horse since being gelded following his last preparation and his three starts this campaign have netted two wins and a second placing.
Later in the day Productive ($3.50) was able to break through for his first career win when saluting in the Dunnings Maiden (1400m).
Ridden by Clint Johnston-Porter, the Rommel four-year-old finished second at his first two starts back from a spell and was able to go one better when settled three-back on the rail before finding an opening on straightening and bursting through the gap to win.
He defeated Ordashus ($6.50) by a three-quarter length, with Authorative ($6.50) a further half-length away in third.
Productive has been a raw and slow-maturing type but has now finished in the placings at four of his six starts to date and appears to be a horse with upside.
Meanwhile, stablemates Celebrity Angel and Manhattan Strip each finished second in their respective races on the Northam program.
Pearce Racing’s 501 total winners have included two Group 2 Karrakatta Plate victories with Dig Deep and Talkanco, as well as four Group 3 and 18 Listed triumphs.
The stable will be represented by Rock Fest, Under Influence at Desert Edge at Belmont on Saturday before Sunday’s Coolgardie Cup meeting at Kalgoorlie where Ginger Baker, Decoration, Defending, Influencing and Climb On Top are engaged.