[PHOTO: Western Racepix]
Consistent mare God’s Grin opened her winning account at Geraldton on Wednesday when taking out the Active Plumbing Maiden (1407m).
Starting the $1.45 favourite off the back of four-consecutive minor placings, including three seconds, the Playing God four-year-old had punters nervous over the concluding stages of the race but was able to get the job done.
She jumped from barrier two with Tash Faithfull aboard and initially sat just behind the pacemakers before eventually working off the fence and through an opening to level up to the leader and then hit the front at the top of the home straight.
The bay kicked clear and looked home and hosed until a spirited finish from Latorio ($7) over the final furlong made things awfully close on the line, however, God’s Grin responded to Faithfull’s urgings and was able to hold on and score by a head.
Blood Saint ($61) finished a further two-and-a-half lengths away in third place.
Bred and raced by Aaron Morton of Queenslea Park, the lightly-raced God’s Grin has now had six career starts for a win and four minor placings and appears to have more wins in store.
Meanwhile, stablemate Queen Of Hawks finished third at her first run back from a spell later on the Geraldton program.
The Pearce stable will saddle up Sherpa Express, Madame Magic, Dun With The Blues, Art Session, Fame and Lady Boss at Saturday’s Winterbottom Stakes meeting at Ascot.