Pearce Racing are set for an exciting first Saturday of the new racing season with six runners engaged to race.
Daniel Pearce will saddle-up Forbidden Planet, Enchanted Dream and Mad Brad at tomorrow’s Belmont meeting while brother Ben is in charge of Fathnoxious, Two For Twenty Two and Super Hunter at Broome’s Kimberley Cup meeting.
Forbidden Planet, who last raced at Pinjarra on July 27 when finishing just a half-head second to Transgressor, is racing in good form but will have to overcome the outside barrier in the Gabby Mallis 91st Birthday Plate.
The tempo looks likely to be genuine with noted speedsters Just A Fluke and Stirling Estate engaged so apprentice Randy Tan will be hoping the field opens up to allow Forbidden Planet to slot into a position with cover.
The five-year-old faces a tough field with some strong form apparent, however, will be assisted by Tan’s one-and-a-half kilo claim and is capable of a first-three finish with luck in running.
Last season’s three-year-old Magic Million’s winner Enchanted Dream is set to race second-up in the Kirin Megumi Handicap and will be looking to improve after a disappointing performance on July 15 when resuming from a spell.
The Patronize mare will strip fitter from that run and looks to be suited by a drop in grade from her past three outings.
Jarrad Noske retains the ride and the pair appear to have a strong hand in the race, along with impressive first-up winner Cash On Call who is likely to attract strong support.
Evergreen seven-year-old Mad Brad will be the last of the city trio to race when he lines up in the 2017 Ascot Racing Carnival – Book Now Handicap.
The Zentsov Street gelding hasn’t been in the winner’s stall for 867 days, however, is racing consistently and another forward showing wouldn’t surprise.
Noske will again take the mount and although they face stiff opposition from the likes of Just Act Natural, Universal Law and Lockroy, Mad Brad will be doing his best work late and looms as a definite place chance.
Fathnoxious will be the first of the Pearce-trained team to race at Broome when she contests the Yeeda Handicap over 1300m.
The Fath mare drops back sharply in distance after last racing in the Woodside Cup over 1800 on July 28 and should be favoured by her fitness leading into tomorrow’s event.
The seven-year-old will be looking to settle off-the-pace with speedy type Cherabin likely to set a break-neck tempo.
Enigmatic five-year-old Two For Twenty Two will be next in line for team Pearce when he competes in the Progressive Supplies Handicap.
The Ad Volorem gelding made a promising start at the new track on July 28 when one-and-a-quarter lengths second to Medal Of Valour.
He’s drawn suitably in tomorrow’s 1200m event and looms as a major player in the race with his last-start experience on the dirt surface sure to work in his favour.
Super Hunter, who will race in the Paspaley Pearls Handicap, looks likely to prove hard to beat on the back of an encouraging last-start second placing to Big Clipper.
The seven-year-old will have to overcome barrier nine in the 10-horse field, however, is likely to roll forward from the wide draw in a field which doesn’t appear to be as strong as his last race.
Chloe Pearce is set to take the mounts on the three Broome runners.