The Pearce Racing team saddled-up two winners from as many starters at Belmont on Thursday when progressive types The Italian Job and Roman Flirt saluted in the Perth Racing At Home Maiden Handicap (1200m) and Seacorp Handicap (1600m) respectively.
The Italian Job, a Trade Fair three-year-old who was racing first-up from a spell, jumped the $3.10 favourite before making light work of an awkward draw by crossing from barrier 11 to lead up his 12-horse field.
The gelding was given a well-rated ride out in front by jockey Joseph Azzopardi and responded by giving a strong kick on straightening and romping away to a two-and-a-half length win over Ocean Candy ($9.50).
Dustypark ($4.80) finished a further three-quarter-length away in third place.
The Italian Job was having only his third career start but has already shown an abundance of natural talent and appears destined for a bright future ahead.
Meanwhile, stablemate Roman Flirt was able to bring up her second win in a line later on in the Belmont program when justifying her $2.10 favouritism to account for San Crispino ($9.50) by a length.
Ridden by William Pike, the consistent Roman Emperor four-year-old settled in the one-out and one-back position before peeling out on straightening and finishing with a well-timed run over the final 100 metres.
Altamont ($4.00) finished in third place, beaten just under two lengths.
Roman Flirt is quickly building up a nice record, having accumulated two wins and four runner-up finishes from her eight race appearances to date.
The Pearce brothers’ winning Belmont double follows fellow Pearce-trained galloper Black Lightning’s victory at Pinjarra on Wednesday.
[PHOTO: Western Racepix]