[PHOTO: Western Racepix]
Fiorente five-year-old Fear The Wind continued his brilliant progression when bringing up at hat-trick of victories in the Happy 80th John Short Handicap (2200m) at Belmont on Saturday.
Ridden by William Pike, the gelding started a popular $1.85 favourite off the back of two impressive wins at the same track and distance and enjoyed a lovely run in the one-out and one-back position following main danger Ciscojoe ($4.60).
Ciscojoe made a move to hit the lead approaching the home turn and kicked away in an attempt to get separation from the rest of the field but Fear The Wind dug in deep over the final furlong to reel him in and pull away to score by just over a half-length on the line.
Ration Aly ($9.50) finished a further three-and-a-half lengths away in third place.
Fear The Wind’s victory was his fourth of his breakout campaign so far and takes his career record to 19 starts for five wins, three minor placings and $181,468 in stake earnings.
Meanwhile, stablemate Starring Knight ($5) finished second in the featured $100,000 SkyRacing.TV Provincial Championship Series Final (1400m) later on the Belmont program.
Pearce Racing have prepared 69 winners so far in the 2022/23 season and will saddle-up Laughing Buddha, Wise Words, Grece Lightning and Anna’s Boy at Sunday’s Kalgoorlie meeting.
CLICK HERE to watch the replay of Starring Knight’s Belmont win.