[PHOTO: Western Racepix]
Manhattan Rain four-year-old opened her winning account at York on Thursday when saluting in the George and Lorna Saunders Maiden Handicap (1500m).
Ridden by Tash Faithfull, the four-year-old was having her fourth start of her campaign when starting the $3 favourite and enjoying a nice run positioned outside the leader in transit.
She travelled up to the home turn strongly before getting the better of the leader on straightening and kicking clear to over the final furlong to win by just under one-and-a-half lengths.
Maximum Impact ($6.50) finished in second place, with Lakeview Lightning ($10) a further half length away in third.
Bred and raced by Oakland Park Stud, Manhattan Rain is the half relation to stablemate and six-time winner, Manavendra, and has now had nine career starts for a win and three second placings.
Pearce Racing will be represented by five runners at the opening meeting of the Ascot season on Saturday, highlighted by last-start winner Sinful Living in the featured $100,000 Max Simmonds Stakes (1000m).