[PHOTO: Western Racepix]
Former cheap yearling purchase Bird’s The Word scored his eighth career win at Belmont on Saturday when taking out the featured $100,000 TABtouch Westspeed Platinum Winter Series Final (1400m).
Ridden by Chris Parnham, the Galah four-year-old started on the fifth line of betting at $9 and produced a tough performance to race outside the leader and still be strong through the line in a tight finish.
The gelding was headed passing the 200m mark but fought on doggedly to claw his way back over the concluding stages to defeat Valdarena ($8.50) by a head, with Ginger Green ($11) a further nose away in third place.
Purchased by Pearce Racing for $12,000 at the 2021 Perth Magic Millions sale, Bird’s The Word has now had 32 career starts for eight wins, 11 minor placings and $298,068 in total earnings including Westspeed Platinum bonuses.
The stable could be in for a big weekend with geldings sired by Galah, with stablemate Let’s Galahvant the $2.50 favourite for Sunday’s $125,000 Listed Wittens Irrigation & Design South West Cup (2200m).
Striking Fella is also engaged to race in a support race on the eight-event card.
Pearce Racing has prepared 74 winners in the 2023/24 season so far – the second-highest tally by a stable in WA – with one month remaining.