[PHOTO: Western Racepix]
Bargain purchase Bird’s The Word landed his second win from three starts this preparation when taking out the Western Racepix Handicap (1300m) at Belmont on Wednesday.
Purchased for only $12,000 at the 2021 Perth Magic Millions yearling sale, the Galah three-year-old started a $3.70 favourite before settling three-back on the fence with Clint Johnston-Porter aboard.
Johnston-Porter bided his time turning for home with the cutaway in play and as the gaps began to appear the gelding burst through the middle of the pack to hit the lead at the 150m mark and hold off the fast-finishing Brighid ($4.80) by a half-length.
Rogues Point ($9.50) finished a further half-length away in third place.
Bird’s The Word put the writing on the wall for his second victory when finishing fourth after racing three-wide and without cover in Saturday grade on July 30 and looked well-placed dropping back to Class One company.
He’s now had six career starts for two wins and one minor placing, with earnings of $61,980 including Westspeed Platinum bonuses.
The in-form Pearce stable will saddle-up a big team at Northam on Thursday, with Sofia’s Symphony, Defending, Anna’s Boy, Exalted Rockstar, Wise Words, Secret Lair and Let’s Galahvant at Northam on Thursday all set to line up on the bumper 10-event card.
Stablemates Don’t Fuss, Speedy Miss and Probity will race at Belmont on Saturday before Cosmopolitan Girl and Money Twist head to the Goldfields to compete at Sunday’s Kalgoorlie meeting.
CLICK HERE to watch the replay of Bird’s The Word’s Belmont win.