Sebring four-year-old Rising Sea will be aiming for his second consecutive win at Bunbury today.
The Daniel and Ben Pearce-trained gelding will have the third start of his preparation in the Amelia Park Handicap (1410m) after leading throughout to beat Finance by a short-neck on December 29.
Rising Sea ($3.40) put the writing on the wall for his last-start win when leading into a strong head-wind first-up over 1400m and only tiring late to finish fourth, beaten just over one length.
Apprentice Tayla Stone retains the mount aboard the race-favourite and the pair appear well-placed dropping one kilo from their last start.
Rising Sea has shown a liking for the Bunbury course, with his solid first-up fourth this campaign the only time he has finished outside the first three placings in four races at the track.
The Pearce brothers are hoping stablemate Paradise Square ($10) can also continue his consistent form in the XXXX Gold Handicap (1100m) at Bunbury.
The Planet Five three-year-old broke his maiden status at Mt Barker when resuming from a spell on December 7 before runner-up finishes at his past two outings.
The gelding followed up his long-head second to Grenouille at Bunbury on December 17 with a commendable performance when racing down the Pinjarra straight-1000m circuit for the first time and finishing two-lengths second to Incredible Hulk.
Alan Kennedy is booked to ride Paradise Square for the first time.
Pearce Racing have Street Fury, Rebow and debutants Supreme Force and Angelic Ruler engaged at Ascot’s Miss Andretti Stakes meeting on Saturday.
[PHOTO: Tayla Stone aboard Rising Sea following his Bunbury win on December 29. Western Racepix]