Bunbury race five saw the inform four-year-old mare Lady Natesa take her place in the State Of Origin jockey challenge over 1400 m with Dominic Tourner to ride the unbeaten mare, from her two previous race starts jumping from barrier 4 in a field of seven.
As the field jumped in the challenge it was Military Might out in front with David Pires, Secret Display ridden by Jay Ford was second, Tourner had Lady Natesa in a great spot to be third one off the fence, Rancho Man ridden by Brad Rawiller was third on the PVC with Ellie's Grey with Clare Lindop, Blackspace was next ridden by Jason Taylor and Handful Of Dust Willy Pike whipped the field in as they ran down the side.
The order was unchanged at the turn as the race leaders straightened for the run in Military Mite was urged along under the 60kg and Ford was trying to lift Secret Display as the sounds of the beautifully prepared Ben Pearce commodity thundered off heels under the watchful eye of multiple decorated winning hoop Dom Tourner and as the race developed into two fields the leaders raced off with 4 across the track, with Lady Natesa pinning the ears back for the fight and although a couple of resented whacks with the persuader made her flick her tail, Lady Natesa whom seems to be enjoying winning at the moment bought up 3 in a row, much to the delight of connections who are enjoying the spoils from recent outings.
Jockey Tourner commented after the win that it was a great effort in a bit of a stop go affair, with the early leaders controlling the tempo until he allowed his mount to wind up early in the straight to catch the front runners, that had sat and were preparing to sprint
Ben Pearce was happy to enjoy a coldie after the win with some of the connections present, as a cheer could also be heard from QLD where a host of other connections were getting into the spirit of another win.
Last time in Ben made the decision to cease her last prep, that wasn't going the greatest, with the thought process of bringing Lady Natesa back when the ground was more firmer, a decision everyone involved would class as the right move. A Classic preparation so far described by a wise gentleman of racing terminology "Pick Em And Pluck Em," rejuvenating the old adage "put yourself in the best company and your horse in the worst".
Congratulations to Mr B M Pearce, Mr G J Nelson, Ms J A Wilson, Mr G S Shaw, Mr B Mehan, Mr S J Orrock, Mrs A Forrest, Mr T D Forrest, The Border Connection (Mr R Wheeler, Mr C Dawson, Mr B West, Mr T Donnelly, Mr C Rhodes, Mr L Hurrell, Mr G McMillan, Mr G jnr McMillan, Mr M Pimm, Mr & Mrs Leonard,