Pushin’ Shapes continued his career-best form with a standout win in Sunday’s $125,000 Listed Northam Cup (1600m).
The 2017 Narrogin Cup (1900m) winner was also victorious in last month’s Coolgardie Cup (1760m) and took his career earnings to more than $500,000, including Westspeed bonuses, following Sunday’s win.
The Viscount six-year-old, a $12 chance on tote, was expertly ridden by regular hoop Joseph Azzopardi when settled in the one-out, one-back position in running as leader Gloryland ($23.40) set a solid tempo throughout.
Pushin’ Shapes was peeled three-wide turning for home and hit the front at the 250 metre mark as the back-markers appeared likely to finish over the top of the gelding over the concluding stages.
However, he responded well to Azzopardi’s vigour to hold off all challengers and score by more than a length to the well-backed Elegant Blast ($26-$8.00), with Achernar Star ($3.70) a further neck away in third place.
The feature event was ran in track record time, stopping the clock at a slick 01:33.01.
Co-trainers Daniel and Ben Pearce will now decide whether to spell Pushin’ Shapes or push on to the $150,000 Group Three RJ Peters Stakes (1500m) at Ascot on Saturday November 17.
The winner of the RJ Peters Stakes receives automatic entry into the $1,000,000 Group One Railway Stakes (1600m) a week later.
Pushin’ Shapes has now won seven races and placed on a further 12 occasions from 41 career starts.