[PHOTO: Western Racepix]
Oratorio four-year-old Defending scored the first win of his campaign at Belmont on Wednesday when rocketing home in the Perth Racing Club Membership Handicap (1200m).
The gelding started a $3.80 favourite after finishing a nose second to Ponyo at Northam at his previous start and didn’t get things all his own way after jumping from an awkward draw in barrier eight.
He was caught wide and had a tendency to over-race through the early stages of the race but apprentice Taj Dyson didn’t panic and was able to obtain some cover before peeling him towards the outside of the track on straightening.
Defending let down with a strong turn of foot to swoop past his rivals, defeating Getyourmoneyandrun ($17) by just under a length.
Simple Logic ($7.50) finished a further neck away in third place.
A $30,000 purchase from the 2020 Perth Magic Millions sale, Defending has now had 10 career starts for two wins, two seconds, nine top-five finishes and $82,280 in stakes earnings and bonuses.
Meanwhile, the Pearce stable have prepared six winners in the first three-and-a-half weeks of the new season and will saddle-up Jive King and Budgerigar at Northam today.
Stablemates Dais and Hear My Prayer are engaged to race at Saturday’s Belmont meeting.
CLICK HERE to watch the replay of Defending’s Belmont win.