[PHOTO: Western Racepix]
Spirit Of Boom three-year-old Exceltrain produced a top performance second-up from a spell at Belmont on Wednesday when taking out the Drummond Golf Handicap (1400m) by just under two lengths.
Starting a $5.50 chance with William Pike aboard, the gelding jumped from barrier 12 when racing four weeks between runs and stepping up from 1200m to 1400m but it mattered nil once he was able to cross the field and settle just off race-leader Maximum Impact ($151) in running.
He was entitled to tire chasing the hot speed and carting the rest of the field up but was able to click into another gear on straightening and pull away for a decisive win over the late stages.
Federation Rocks ($5) finished in second place, with Mojo’s Luck ($4.80) a further long-neck away in third.
Exceltrain has now raced four times for two wins and a minor placing and appears to have a bright future ahead.
His win was a nice end to the day for co-trainers Daniel and Ben Pearce after a frustrating run of placings at the meeting courtesy of stablemates Bird’s The Word (third), Ima Wild Girl (second), Manavendra (second), Triple Jay (second) and Climb On Top (third) who all performed well but fell short of a victory in their respective races.
The Pearce stable will saddle up Super Romani, Ultimate Style and Under Influence at Pinjarra Park today before turning its attention to Saturday’s Belmont meeting where Starring Knight, Deep Envy and Fear The Wind are engaged.