[PHOTO: Western Racepix]
Blue Point two-year-old Sherpa Express landed his first career win with a smart performance at Northam on Thursday.
The gelding started a heavily backed $1.80 favourite in the AFGRI Tractors And Sprayers Maiden (1100m) after dropping in class from an encouraging third to the undefeated Twisted Steel on debut at Bunbury 12 days earlier and he didn’t let punters down.
Ridden by Brad Parnham, the juvenile settled leaders-back from barrier three and was momentarily held up on straightening before he bullocked his way into the clear and dropped another gear to finish brilliantly and score by more than two lengths on the line.
Lemmor ($11) ran second, with Profound Benefit ($7.50) a further one-and-a-half lengths away in third place.
Bred by Oakland Park Stud, Sherpa Express has now had two career starts for a win and a third and appears to have city potential.
He is the second foal out of former handy mare, Sherpa Lass, who won four of her nine race starts.
Meanwhile, the Pearce stable will saddle up Famous Dain, Influencing, Under Influence, Manhattan Strip and Surf Patrol at Belmont on Saturday before travelling to Kalgoorlie on Sunday where stablemates Decoration, Manavendra and Galaxy Affair are engaged.
Pearce Racing has prepared 77 winners in the 2024/25 season, the second-highest tally in the state with seven days of the season remaining.