Pearce Racing celebrated a winning double at Esperance on Sunday, highlighted by Manavendra’s victory in the $100,000 Freight Lines Group Esperance Cup (2000m).
Starting the $3.40 with Clint Johnston-Porter aboard, the Deep Field four-year-old jumped from barrier 14 before setting second-last in running but powered home to sweep past his rivals.
The progressive stayer made a sustained run from the 600m mark and finished strongly down the middle of the track on straightening to reel in Utgard Loki ($51) by a half-length, with Acermetric ($12) a further half-length away in third place.
Manavendra has enjoyed a breakout campaign this preparation and has now had 21 career starts for six wins, five minor placings and $262,630 in stake earnings and Westspeed bonuses.
Meanwhile, stablemate Budgerigar ($2.40) was able to take out the Kalgoorlie Punters & Drinkers Club Esperance Sprint (1200m) deep into his preparation earlier on the program.
Also ridden by Johnston-Porter, the Epaulette four-year-old was having his 11th start of his preparation and began only fairly before mustering to settle three-back on the rail and then navigating a clear path on straightening.
The gelding burst through a gap and was strong through the line to defeat Nodustonme ($61) by a neck, with Talk Softly ($3.10) a further half-length away in third place.
Budgerigar has missed a place only twice so far this campaign and has now had 17 career starts for five wins, seven minor placings and $106,808 in stake earnings and Westspeed bonuses.
The in-form Pearce stable’s other two runners on the day, Flying The Flag and Who Be Whatee, finished second and third in their respective races.