[PHOTO: Western Racepix]
Contributer three-year-old Miss Defies Me made an impression at her race debut at Belmont on Wednesday when taking out the Morley Growers Market Maiden (1200m).
The New Zealand-bred filly was backed from $4.40 into $3.10 prior to the jump and didn’t let backers down when finishing off powerfully from her midfield settling position.
Ridden by William Pike, she was forced to cover additional ground at stages of the race but still exploded over the final furlong to race past her rivals and defeat Xelcimus ($26) by a length.
Race-favourite Western Jet ($2.35) finished a further head away in third place.
Purchased by Pearce Racing and John Chalmers Bloodstock for $100,000 at the 2024 Karaka sale in New Zealand, Miss Defies Me displayed considerable potential when winning a barrier trial by more than four lengths in June and she put the writing on the wall for Wednesday’s winning performance with a slashing third in a Lark Hill trial nine days prior.
Meanwhile, the Pearce stable will saddle up God’s Grin, Maritime Dream, Glimmerinthedust and Under Influence at Bunbury on Thursday before a big weekend with multiple feature race runners.
Talkanco (WA Champion Fillies Stakes), Sherpa Express (Placid Ark Stakes), Acromantula (Colonel Reeves Stakes) and Madame Magic (Jungle Mist Classic) will step out at Ascot on Saturday, with stablemates Lady Boss, Rainline and Sinful Living also engaged to race at the opening meeting of the Pinnacles series.