Co-trainers Daniel and Ben Pearce combined with champion jockey William Pike for a winning double with their only two runners at Ascot on Saturday when stablemates Policiere and Dig Deep saluted in their respective races.
Policiere ($3.20), a Safeguard two-year-old who was having her second race start in the Byron Bay Premium Lager Plate (1100m), produced a tough performance to muscle her way through a tight gap at the 200m mark and finish strongly to defeat Flying Missile ($3.30) by a head.
The chestnut filly put the writing on the wall for her winning performance with a gallant fourth placing when racing three-wide and without cover at her race debut a fortnight prior.
Bred by Oakland Park Stud, Policiere was sold to stable clients for $55,000 at Pearce Racing’s annual yearling parade earlier this year and has now banked $84,800 from her first two starts.
Meanwhile, Deep Field gelding Dig Deep ($7.50) scored his first win since the 2019 Group 2 Karrakatta Plate when producing a fairytale finish to the PikeSaysThanksWA Handicap (1400m) with Pike aboard.
The four-year-old had placed at his two starts leading into Saturday’s winning return and, despite carrying the 60kg top-weight, he exploded over the final furlong to beat State Attorney ($21) by a neck.
Luke’s Gold ($26) finished a further head away in third place.
Dig Deep, a $100,000 graduate from the 2018 Perth Magic Millions sale, has now raced 13 times for three wins, four minor placings and $412,035 in stake earnings and bonuses.
[PHOTO: Western Racepix]
CLICK HERE to watch the replay and post-race interviews following Policiere’s win.
CLICK HERE to watch the replay and post-race interviews following Dig Deep’s win.