[PHOTO: Western Racepix]
Written By three-year-old Friar’s Legacy opened his winning account at Belmont on Wednesday when taking out the Lawn Pride Australia Maiden (1200m) in style.
Backed into $3.40 favouritism with Chris Parnham aboard, the gelding was having his second start back from a spell and led up his 12-horse field before getting challenged in the straight and dropping another gear inside the 200 mark.
He ended up pulling away late to defeat Gangster Goddess ($7) by a length in an emphatic performance, with Dark Ambition ($5) more than four lengths away in third place.
Bred by Pearce Racing and long-time stable client Trevor McKee, Friar’s Legacy put the writing on the wall for his maiden victory with a third placing to the talented Country God first up at Belmont on July 30 and appears to have plenty of upside.
Meanwhile, the Pearce stable’s only other runner on the day, Defending, finished second in the TABtouch – Have You Got The Touch Handicap (1300m) later in the program.
Stablemates Noble Connection, Kiralui and Exceltrain are engaged to race at Saturday’s Belmont meeting.