[PHOTO: Western Racepix]
The Pearce stable continued its stellar start to the new season when saddling-up three-year-old pair Galaxy Affair and Cosmopolitan Girl to victory at Belmont on Wednesday.
Galaxy Affair kicked off his spring campaign in the best way possible when taking out the Mrs Mac’s Handicap (1200m) first-up from a spell.
Starting on the second line of betting at $7, the son of Merchant Navy resumed off the back of a fast-finishing second placing in a Lark Hill trial on September 5 and was well placed after contesting the $500,000 Group 2 Karrakatta Plate at his previous start in April.
Jockey Clint Johnston-Porter settled the gelding one-out and one-back in running from barrier three before hitting the front at the 250m mark and pulling away to score an authoritative victory by just under one-and-a-half lengths.
Well-supported favourite Lord Gannicus ($1.60) finished in second place, with Palaver ($41) a further head away in third.
Galaxy Affair has now had six career starts for two wins and $58,110 in stake earnings.
The next race saw speedy Safeguard filly Cosmopolitan Girl ($4.80) score her second-straight win when leading from start to finish in the Cool Ridge Handicap (1200m).
Ridden by apprentice Luke Campbell, the performance was a carbon copy of her all-the-way maiden triumph at her previous outing and she never looked in doubt after skipping clear on straightening and running away from her rivals.
Cherry Can Run ($10) finished one-and-a-half lengths second, with Canny Coni ($10) a further head away in third place.
Cosmopolitan Girl has now had 10 career starts for two wins, two minor placings and $92,254 in stake and Westspeed Platinum earnings.
Pearce Racing has prepared a state-leading 13 winners in the first six-and-a-half weeks of the 2022/23 season and will saddle-up Charcoal Chaos, Anna’s Boy, Queen Alina, Exceltrain, Defending, Speedy Miss and Ginger Charm at Thursday’s Northam meeting.
CLICK HERE to watch the replay of Galaxy Affair’s Belmont win.
CLICK HERE to watch the replay of Cosmopolitan Girl’s Belmont win.