Four-year-old grey Vital Silver looms as the hardest to beat in today’s Sky Racing TV Provincial Championship Series final (1400m) at a wet and wild Belmont Park.
The Wanted gelding was a winner at his final three starts in the spring before being spelled and returned with a impressive Lark Hill trial effort when finishing a close-up third behind Group winners Durendal and Art Series.
The progressive type then resumed racing with a bold performance at Pinjarra on May 10 when finishing just a short-head second to Rock Mylady.
The Pearce stable expect Vital Silver ($3.20) to have stripped considerably fitter following that outing and remain confident he’ll be in the finish if he handles today’s soft track conditions.
Jarrad Noske retains the mount and the pair will jump from barrier six in a full field of 16 runners.
Meanwhile, Pushin’ Shapes ($14) will be looking to go one better than his previous start when just a short-half-head second to My Greek Boy.
The Viscount five-year-old was momentarily held up upon straightening which arguably cost him the race but he can exact revenge when racing third-up in today’s Ascend Sales Trophies Handicap (1600m).
Exciting mare Galaxary Star ($1.60) looks to be a huge stumbling block, however, Pushin’ Shapes has each-way claims.
The gelding will jump from barrier four with regular hoop Joseph Azzopardi aboard.
Gingerbread Man two-year-old Essential Spice will make her race debut in the Mumm Champagne Plate (1000m) after a sizzling trial display at Lark Hill on Monday.
The filly led from start-to-finish in a 400m heat after producing an eye-catching performance when racing greenly and finishing a close-up third to Lipstick Flickers over 1000m on May 7.
Alan Kennedy is booked to ride Essential Spice and the pair may need some luck jumping from barrier 10 in an 11-horse field.
Daniel and Ben Pearce trained their 52nd winner of the 2017/18 season when Patronize gelding, Superior Smile, saluted at Pinjarra on Wednesday.
[PHOTO: Western Racepix]