[PHOTO: Western Racepix]
Consistent gelding Climb On Top scored the first win of his preparation at Belmont on Saturday when taking out the Thank You Pinjarra Race Club Handicap (1400m).
Having the seventh start of his campaign which had produced four top-four finishes, the Demerit six-year-old jumped a $7.50 chance with William Pike aboard and was able to bounce out of the barriers and sit a lot closer in running than usual.
He settled in third position behind a hot tempo set by tearaway leader Bigdayonit ($6.50) and was under pressure straightening for home before picking back up and finishing off well under the 60kg top-weight to win by just over a half-length on the line.
Kelora ($21) finished second, with Wembanyama ($6) a further nose away in third place.
Bred by Oakland Park Stud, Climb On Top has been an honest campaigner for connections with his 22 career starts to date returning six wins, four minor placings and $189,407 in total earnings.
Saturday’s win extends Pearce Racing’s lead at the top of WA’s overall Trainers Premiership leaderboard with 16 victories almost two months into the 2025/26 season.
The stable will saddle up Desert Edge in Sunday’s $30,000 TABtouch Toodyay Cup (1850m), as well as Desert Madame and Scenic Boom in support races at the eight-event annual race meeting.