[PHOTO: Western Racepix]
Oratorio three-year-old Defending justified his short-priced favouritism at Pinjarra on Thursday when scoring his first win in the Perth Football Club Past Players Maiden (1200m).
Starting a red-hot $1.70 first elect, the gelding was initially settled one-out and one-back by champion hoop William Pike before peeling out three-wide and working into the race from the 600m.
He responded well to Pike’s hands-and-heels riding in the straight to finish strongly and hold off Magnaman ($4.60) by a half-length, with Argent Sauvage a further length-and-a-half away in third place.
A $30,000 purchase at the 2020 Perth Magic Millions sale, Defending has had six career starts for one win, one second placing, six top-five finishes and $46,300 in stake earnings including Westspeed bonuses.
The other Pearce Racing-trained runner at Thursday’s Pinjarra meeting, Wise Words, finished third in the Wignalls Wines Maiden (1200m).
Meanwhile, Pike has had five rides for co-trainers Dan and Ben Pearce over the past five days culminating in three wins and two minor placings, courtesy of victories aboard Chiclett, Speedbird and Defending and placings aboard Exalted Rockstar and Anna’s Boy.
The Pearce stable will saddle-up Galaxy Affair and Superior Smile at Saturday’s Ascot meeting.
CLICK HERE to watch the replay of Defending’s Pinjarra win.