[PHOTO: Kalgoorlie-Boulder Racing Club]
Three-year-old gelding Laughing Buddha opened his winning account at Kalgoorlie on Sunday when taking out the Blue Spec Drilling Maiden (1620m).
Starting on the second line of betting at $3.50, the son of Dissident settled one-out and one-back and was blocked for clear running on straightening but jockey Natasha Faithfull was able to extricate him into the clear passing the 200m mark and he closed off strongly over the final furlong.
He was able to get over the top of Got Lucky ($4.40) and score by a half-length, with more than two-and-a-half lengths back to Jaguar Jack ($71) in third place.
The consistent Laughing Buddha put the writing on the wall for his first victory with minor placings at his previous three starts and has now had 10 career starts for a win, three minor placings and six top-four finishes.
Pearce Racing have now prepared 25 individual three-year-old winners in the 2022/23 season to date.
The stable has Manhattan Strip, Bird’s The Word and Fuel The Friar engaged to race at Wednesday’s Belmont meeting.