[PHOTO: Western Racepix]
Deep Field three-year-old Manavendra relished a step up in distance at his second run back from a spell at Ascot on Wednesday when taking out the Crown Perth Handicap (1400m).
A late drifter to $8.50 in betting, the gelding jumped from barrier one and was positioned behind the leaders by jockey Chris Parnham before working into the clear on straightening and hitting the line strongly.
He dug in deep over the final furlong to reel in the leader and then hold off the fast-finishing Chinobrown ($3.90) by a short neck, with a further half-length back to Floppy ($15) in third place.
Manavendra put the writing on the wall for his winning performance when copping heavy pressure and sticking on well to run a close third first-up over an unsuitable 1100m at Narrogin on April 13 and has now had seven career starts for two wins and two minor placings.
The Pearce stable have Play With Desire, Who Be Whatee, Super Romani and Well Played engaged at Thursday’s Pinjarra Park meeting.