Blackfriars three-year-old Father Knick made it two wins from two starts this preparation after an impressive performance at Belmont today.
The talented gelding, who started the $4.20 second-favourite, was having only his third start when defeating Vital Asset ($25.50) by a length in the Yellowglen Handicap (1000m).
He showed he has more than one string to his bow when coming from ninth position at the turn after leading from start to finish in a Northam maiden on August 31.
Race-favourite Just A Fluke ($3.10) set a blistering tempo in front and when rider Joseph Azzopardi pulled Father Knick to the extreme outside in the straight he showed a brilliant turn-of-foot to cover the field.
Stablemate Caress Your Soul ($7.70) finished three-and-a-half lengths away in fifth place.
Meanwhile, Wanted gelding Defiancy ($8.80) almost made it a winning double for Ben and Daniel Pearce when narrowly beaten in the TABTouch Masters 25 Nov – 2 Dec – 9 Dec Handicap (1650m).
Peter Hall settled the gelding in the one-out, one-back position before shooting clear at the top of the straight and looking the winner until Take It Like A Man ($4.50) grabbed him in the shadows of the post to win by a long-neck.
Jazari ($16.10) finished a close-up third in a photo finish.
Pearce Racing have extended their lead at the top of the state’s training premiership and will be represented by six runners at tomorrow’s Northam meeting.