[PHOTO: Western Racepix]
Tough three-year-old Bird’s The Word scored his fifth win of a stellar campaign at Geraldton on Thursday when taking out the Great Western Insurance Brokers Handicap (1200m).
Despite having his 12th start of a lengthy preparation and starting on the fourth line of betting at $9, the son of Galah was able to roll to the outside-leader position and face the breeze throughout running before hanging on late.
The gelding hit the front turning for home and was left a sitting duck over the final stages but he responded to apprentice Taj Dyson’s urgings and lifted to hold off Eliminate ($3.70) by a nose.
Race-favourite Sure No Something ($3.30) finished a further long neck away in third place.
A $12,000 bargain buy at the 2021 Perth Magic Millions yearling sale, Bird’s The Word has now raced 15 times for five wins, three minor placings and $124,421 in stake earnings and Westspeed Platinum bonuses.
The in-form Pearce yard will saddle-up Acromantula, Galaxy Affair and Dig Deep at Ascot on Saturday before Sunday’s Pinjarra meeting where stablemates Triple Jay, Grece Lightning and Outspoken Lad are engaged.
CLICK HERE to watch the replay of Bird’s The Word’s Geraldton win.