[PHOTO: Western Racepix]
Pearce Racing saddled up three runners for two winners and a third placegetter at Pinjarra Scarpside on Wednesday.
After more than 19 months out of the winner’s stall, Divine Prophet mare Dirty Chai ($5.50) broke the drought second-up from a spell when taking out the Electrical Consultancy WA Handicap (1200m).
The four-year-old won at her race debut in December 2022 before performing below expectations at her next two race preparations, however, she’s returned to her best this campaign and followed up a sharp trial win at Lark Hill in June with an encouraging runner-up finish her first-up run on July 3.
Ridden by William Pike, Dirty Chai was sent straight to the lead on Wednesday and made every post a winner to hold off the fast-finishing favourite Kraken Time ($2.50) and score by a half length.
Lombadina ($4.20) finished a further head away in third place.
The lightly-raced Dirty Chai has now had nine career starts for two wins, two seconds and looks capable of realising the earlier potential she showed.
Stablemate Super Romani ($6.50) rounded out a good day for the stable when landing the first win of his campaign in the Stable Affairs Handicap (1800m).
Ridden by Brad Parnham, the Super One four-year-old settled one-out and two-back before peeling four-wide turning for home and finishing powerfully down the middle of the track.
He responded to Parnham’s urgings and lifted over the final stages to lift and defeat race-favourite Queen Jerusalem ($3.20) by a nose, with Bambun Boy ($13) a further half-length away in third place.
Super Romani had been racing in Saturday class leading into Wednesday’s victory and appreciated a drop in grade to extend his career record to 18 starts for four wins, eight minor placings and $110,410 in stake earnings.
Meanwhile, stablemate Kermelia ($3.80) came from last to run a fast-finishing third placing in the Western Racepix Maiden (1800m) earlier on the program.
The Pearce stable has now prepared 79 winners for the 2023/24 season.