Lightly raced five-year-old Fear The Wind returned to winning form with a brilliant performance in the Schweppes Handicap (1600m) second-up from a lengthy spell at Belmont on Thursday.
Starting on the third line of betting at $7 with apprentice Brayden Gearth aboard, the Fiorente gelding was posted three-wide and without cover for the entirety of the mile event after jumping from barrier nine at only his second run back from more than nine months off the scene.
He was entitled to feel the pinch as the leader and race-favourite Sheer Magnum ($3.70) tired from the 300m mark and Yarralea ($4.40) raced past to hit the front and look the winner, however, Fear The Wind showed enormous tenacity to find another gear and score by a head on the line.
Bred by Lynwood Park Stud, the big bay has always shown a level of ability and has now recorded two wins and a second from his 12 career starts to date, with each of his top-three placings coming within his past five appearances.
Meanwhile, the Pearce stable will saddle-up Acromantula in Saturday’s $125,000 Listed Scenic Blast Stakes (1200m) at Ascot.
CLICK HERE to watch the replay of Fear The Wind’s Belmont win!