[PHOTO: Western Racepix]
Pearce Racing celebrated a wonderful day at Ascot with a winning double from two runners, including a Group 3 Gimcrack Stakes victory.
Talkanco ($6.50) gave the stable its second win in the $200,000 feature after Agent Pippa won the 2018 edition and was aided by a lovely ride by jockey Brad Parnham when settled one-out and three-back from barrier eight.
The I’m All The Talk two-year-old was peeled wide turning for home and exploded down the centre of the track to hit the front and be strong through the line to hold off the fast-finishing Yes Queen ($2.80) by a head.
Loves Talking ($41) finished a further two lengths away in third place.
Talkanco put the writing on the wall for her winning performance with a slashing third first-up in the Listed Supremacy Stakes (1000m) a fortnight prior and looks a leading contender for the $500,000 Group 2 Karrakatta Plate (1200m) at Ascot on April 26.
The supremely talented filly has now had four career starts for two wins, two minor placings and $233,640 in total earnings and will be aiming to be Pearce Racing’s second Karrakatta Plate victor after Dig Deep’s success in 2019.
Meanwhile, Sinful Living kicked off the day on a great note earlier in the afternoon when taking out the Minearc Built For Safety Stakes Handicap (1000m) to bring up back-to-back victories.
Ridden by Tash Faithfull, the speedy Safeguard three-year-old was able to cross to the lead from barrier seven and made every post a winner despite rising 5kg from her last-start win to carry 59kg.
The filly was a late drifter in the market and jumped at $12 but displayed toughness to do it at both ends and defeat Brave Strike ($3.40) by a head, with Tycoon Harry ($12) a further half-length away in third place.
The all-ladies-owned Sinful Living is a fantastic story having been purchased by Pearce Racing for just $10,000 at the 2023 Perth Magic Millions Winter Yearling Sale and having now had 17 career starts for six wins, three minor placings and a lucrative $558,165 in stake earnings and Westspeed Platinum bonuses.
The Pearce stable has prepared 49 winners in the 2024/25 season to date and will saddle up Queen Of Hawks, Written Sin, Zing To Win and Wineaclocksumwhere at Sunday’s Geraldton meeting.