Surprise packet Let’s Galahvant continued his meteoric rise through the grades when taking out the time-honoured $150,000 Listed TABtouch Hannans Handicap (1400m) at Kalgoorlie on Thursday.
Purchased for only $10,000 at the 2020 Perth Magic Millions sale, the Galah four-year-old was having his 12th start of a breakout campaign which included six wins going into his first attempt at stakes level.
He was supported from $7.5 into $6 before settling outside of the leader for jockey Natasha Faithfull, who was having his first ride aboard the gelding, and showed enormous toughness and a tenacity to win when hitting the line first in a four-way go.
Titan Blinders ($6.50) was beaten a nose in second place, with Excellent Dream ($11) a further nose away in third.
Let’s Galahvant’s progression is a remarkable story after winning a modest 52+ ratings race at York second-up from a spell on May 5 before going on to record another six wins and two minor placings, culminating in the Pearce stable’s first Hannans Handicap success.
His brilliant race record now stands at 15 career starts for eight wins, three minor placings and $338,590 in prizemoney and bonuses.
The win extended Pearce Racing’s lead at the top of the state premiership two months into the 2022/23 season.
CLICK HERE to watch the replay of Let’s Galahvant’s Hannans Handicap win.