[PHOTO: Western Racepix]
King’s Troop gelding King’s Artillery landed his first win at Bunbury on Thursday when taking out the Cuprum Distillery Maiden (1427m) third-up from a spell.
Ridden by William Pike in one of five winners for the champion jockey on the day, the three-year-old jumped well before being eased into the one-out and one-back position in running to enjoy the run of the race.
He appeared under pressure turning for home, however, he responded to Pike’s urgings and picked up strongly midway down the straight to claim race-leader Bird On A Wire ($3) and score by just under a length on the line.
Lead By Example ($16) finished a further two-and-a-half lengths away in third place.
Bred and part-owned by Hamlin Bay Thoroughbreds and a half-brother to former stablemate Cosmopolitan Girl, King’s Artillery has now had four career starts for a win and two minor placings.
Thursday’s victory was Pearce Racing’s 75th winner for the 2023/24 season, with the stable now achieving the milestone in back to back years.
Galaxy Affair will join last-start winners Triple Jay and Bird’s The Word when the trio line up for the yard at Belmont on Saturday before Sunday’s Kalgoorlie meeting where stablemates Zing To Win, Hot Nova and Harry The Prince are engaged.