Daniel and Ben Pearce will saddle-up three runners at today’s Ascot meeting.
Scandal Keeper four-year-old Don’t Fuss, the winner at two of his three career starts, will be looking for consecutive wins when he contests the D’Orsogna Handicap (1000m).
The gelding came from eighth at the turn to record a slick 33.77sec final-600m sectional when defeating Pinball Wizard by a long-neck over 1100m at Northam last time out.
He’s drawn awkwardly in barrier seven in today’s eight-horse field, however, rider Peter Hall is likely to adopt similar tactics to his last-start win and ride him conservatively in the second-half of the field.
Don’t Fuss is currently at the top of the pre-post betting market, installed the $3.10 race favourite.
Meanwhile, the Pearce stable will be looking for an improved run from Nobel Secret ($19) in today’s Yellowglen Maiden (1400m).
The Alfred Nobel three-year-old finished sixth at his past two outings over 1300m, albeit beaten just two-and-three-quarters and three lengths respectively.
Jarrad Noske will ride the gelding for the first time in three starts and the pair have drawn suitably in barrier three in a capacity 14-horse line-up.
The Pearce brothers hope new stable acquisition Captain Stirling ($4.00) can start a successful relationship with the Mt Hallowell team when he tackles the Hahn Superdry Handicap (1200m) with Joseph Azzopardi aboard.
The talented Written Tycoon three-year-old beat The Niccocian by a length in an Northam maiden when last starting on October 12.
The gelding has plenty of natural ability, however, he’ll have to overcome the outside barrier in today’s 10-horse field as well as stiff opposition from Testa Rossa mare and race-favourite Regal Moon ($2.05).
Team Pearce have last-start winners Superior Smile and Vital Silver as well as Racy Ava engaged at tomorrow’s Bunbury meeting.