Pearce Racing will saddle-up eight runners at tomorrow’s Northam meeting, highlighted by the return of Money Maher.
The valuable Al Maher colt hasn’t raced since placing in the Group Three WA Sire’s Produce Stakes at Ascot earlier this year.
He’ll line up in the Avon Valley Toyota Maiden, an 1100m event for three-year-olds, and comes into the race on the back of an impressive two-and-a-quarter length trial win at Lark Hill on August 14.
William Pike will take the mount and the pair look to have a strangle-hold on the race.
Blackfriars mare Larvotto will open proceedings for Team Pearce when she races first-up in the opening event on the eight-race card, the XXXX Gold Maiden (1300m).
The four-year-old, who will also be partnered by Pike, is yet to place in four career starts but trialled well when two-and-a-quarter lengths third to subsequent Belmont-placegetter Testa De Lago at Belmont on August 21.
She faces only a moderate field in her race tomorrow and rates as a place chance.
Three-year-old’s Everything’s Sweet and Wild Fusion will also race first-up when they tackle the Gannons Racing Association Maiden (1100m) in race three.
Talented Not A Single Doubt filly Everything’s Sweet, to be ridden by Joseph Azzopardi, looks the better chance of the stablemates despite finishing last of 10 runners in her Belmont trial on August 21.
She was unsuited when settled towards the rear of the field on a day where on-speed runners were heavily-favoured, however, she has always shown above-average ability and comes into the race boasting the strongest form lines.
Oratorio gelding Wild Fusion, who trialled well when a three-quarter length second to Boy Voyage on August 21, will be given a guide to his chances by the performance of the trial-winner in the previous race on the card.
He’ll have the addition of blinkers for his race debut and looks to have first-four claims with Pike in the saddle.
The Hats Handbags and Horses Handicap (1100m) will see Pearce Racing launch another two-pronged attack with stablemate’s Forbidden Planet and Hashtag.
Planet Five five-year-old Forbidden Planet looks ideally suited by a drop in grade and carrying 56.5kg after apprentice Fred W Kersley’s claim.
The gelding has performed admirably at metropolitan Saturday level at his past two starts and rates as a winning hope.
Flying Pegasus mare Hashtag, to be partnered by Azzopardi, will have her second start for the preparation and should improve off a last-start seventh behind Zeinite when resuming on August 16.
The Western Racepix Maiden (1100m) will see the return of another progressive three-year-old from the Pearce yard, Father Knick.
The exciting Blackfriars gelding looks well-placed from barrier four with Azzopardi aboard.
He was tuned up with an eye-catching trial when never let off the bridle and finishing third to Gingerbread Heart at Belmont on August 21.
It appears to be a suitable first-up assignment for Father Knick and the Pearce stable believe he’s destined for bigger and better things down the track.
New stable acquisition Defiancy will have his first start for Team Pearce in the seventh event on the program, the West Australian Handicap (1400m).
The Wanted gelding has had the benefit of two lead-up trials coming into the race and has performed well in each of them.
Aaron Mitchell is set to ride the six-year-old and the pair also look to have solid claims from barrier one in the 12-horse field.
The big week for Pearce Racing continues with last-start winner’s Caress Your Soul and Let’s Twist entered to race at Saturday’s Belmont meeting.
The brotherly duo will also make the trip to the Goldfields on Sunday when Pushin’ Shapes takes part in the $100,000 Hahn Electrical Coolgardie Cup.