[PHOTO: Western Racepix]
Manhattan Rain gelding Manhattan Strip landed his fourth career win when taking out the Racing WA Provincial Championship Heat (1300m) at Northam on Sunday.
Having his first race start back from a spell, the five-year-old was backing up from a trial win at Lark Hill six days earlier and was given a lovely ride by William Pike who rode four winners on the day.
He jumped well from barrier fast before slotting into the one-out and one-back position in running and then getting held up on straightening but Pike was able to find an opening and he exploded through to hit the front passing the 100m mark.
He defeated race-favourite Camera Action ($1.90) by just over a half length, with Close At Hand ($8.50) a further two-and-a-half lengths away in third place.
The consistent Manhattan Strip has now had 31 career starts for four wins, 10 minor placings and $155,061 in total earnings.
Pearce Racing has prepared 60 winners in the 2024/25 season to date.