[PHOTO: Western Racepix]
Safeguard three-year-old Hot Nova opened her winning account at Bunbury on Sunday when scoring an all-the-way victory in the Bunbury Cup GA On Sale Maiden (1100m).
Ridden by Natasha Faithfull, the all-ladies-owned filly drifted to $4.20 prior to the jump but fired straight to the lead and controlled proceedings before railing well and kicking clear in the straight.
She kept finding over the late stages to hold off the heavily-supported Miss Esprit ($3.60) by a length, with Sensessional ($4.20) a further nose away in third place.
Purchased for $44,000 at the 2022 Perth Magic Millions sale, Hot Nova has always shown plenty of talent behind the scenes for Pearce Racing and is now a chance to line up in the $250,000 Magic Millions WA 3YO Trophy (1200m) at Pinjarra on February 17.
The Pearce stable has Who Be Whatee, Play With Desire and Laughing Buddha engaged at Wednesday’s Belmont meeting.