Daniel and Ben Pearce will saddle-up five runners at Northam today.
The brothers trained their 54th winner of the 2017/18 season at Belmont yesterday when Trakiato saluted first-up from a spell and appear to also have some leading chances in the Avon Valley.
Magic Albert four-year-old Hillbert is the first cab off the rank in the Gannons Racing Colours Maiden (1300m) and is the $3.80 second-favourite on the back of two recent runner-up finishes.
The gelding has been a proverbial bridesmaid in his nine-start career to date, however, he looks to get his best chance yet jumping from barrier four with Alan Kennedy aboard.
Blackfriars three-year-old Friar’s Fantasia ($2.35) will race second-up in the Temptations Catering Maiden (1300m) and has produced eye-catching performances in her two public outings this preparation.
The filly powered to the line from towards the tail of the field in a Lark Hill trial before hitting the line strongly when fourth to Shania Style in her race return at Ascot on May 16.
She finished a long-neck third to Paddy’s Shadow on debut last preparation, her only other race start to date, and the Pearce stable expect her to continue to improve with race experience.
Kennedy is also booked to ride Friar’s Fantasia and the pair will jump from barrier eight in a field of 10.
Watto’s Revenge, a Universal Ruler gelding, will resume from a spell when he lines up in the XXXX Gold Maiden (1000m) with Joseph Azzopardi aboard.
The gelding disappointed when unplaced at his Albany debut last spring, however, he trialled well recently when third to Stormy Ora on May 21.
Watto’s Revenge is currently rated a $20 chance with TABtouch and has drawn barrier five in a 9-horse field.
Don’t Fuss ($4.40) has failed to recapture his best form in three starts this campaign but is capable of improving in the Avon Valley Toyota Handicap (1100m) later in eight-race program.
The Scandal Keeper four-year-old was caught wide when finishing third to Misty Metal ($2.20) a fortnight ago but will jump from barrier one with apprentice Brodie Kirby booked to alleviate two kilograms off his back.
Statue Of Liberty mare Let’s Twist ($4.40) will have her first start over a staying journey this campaign when she contests the Western Racepix Handicap (2200m) with Jarrad Noske in the saddle.
The mare was a Bunbury winner last month and hit the line strongly to finish fourth, beaten just over two lengths, in an Ascot 1800m event at her most recent start.
She’s likely to roll forward from barrier four today and looks to have each-way claims.
Stablemate’s Regal Chant and Elite Assassin have been scratched from the Northam meeting.
The Pearce stable have last-start Pinjarra winner Superior Smile and new stable addition, Quality Fair, engaged at Belmont on Saturday.