[PHOTO: Western Racepix]
Rich Enuff gelding Richanco made it two wins from as many starts this preparation when scoring a strong victory at Belmont on Saturday.
After a blistering return to racing when winning first-up from a spell at Ascot a fortnight earlier, the gelding produced a similarly impressive performance to take out the Lawn Pride Australia Handicap (1000m) at his second run back.
He jumped on the second line of betting at $3.40 and settled outside the leader and race-favourite, Prospector’s Pick ($2), in running before sprinting straight past him approaching the 200m mark and pulling away to win by almost one-and-a-half lengths.
Keep Ita Mystery ($6.50) finished second, with Sunny Honey ($51) a further length away in third place.
Purchased by Pearce Racing for $45,000 at the 2022 Perth Magic Millions sale, the exciting and lightly-raced Richanco has now had nine career starts for five wins, three minor placings and $178,680 in stake and Westspeed earnings.
His two recent victories follow the impressive progression of his two-year-old half-sister and fellow Pearce-trained galloper, Talkanco, who won last month’s Group 3 Gimcrack Stakes and Group 2 Karrakatta Plate at Ascot.
Stablemates Art Session and Famous Dain also placed in their respective races at Belmont on Saturday, while Platinum Shot and Madame Magic both ran fourth.