[PHOTO: Western Racepix]
Safeguard mare Kiralui scored her fifth career win at Belmont on Wednesday when digging in deep in a driving finish to the Ascend Trophies Handicap (1400m).
Ridden by William Pike, the six-year-old jumped from barrier four as the $3.60 second favourite and settled three-back on the rail in running.
The flashy chestnut was held up for clear running on straightening and Pike had to bide his time until the 150m mark where the pair burst through a gap and were able to hit the front in the shadows of the post.
Miss Wall Street ($12) ran a head second, with fellow Pearce-trained galloper Galaxy Affair ($6) a further neck away in third place.
The underrated Kiralui has been a good money spinner for owner-breed Alan Bansemer of Namerik Thoroughbreds, with her 23 career starts to date netting five wins, three minor placings and $121,908 in total earnings.
The victory was Pearce Racing’s 12th of the 2025/26 season, placing them at the top of the state’s overall trainers’ leaderboard less than six weeks in.
The stable will saddle up Moonshine Queen, Toronado Rocket and Desert Madame at Bunbury on Thursday before a dual-meeting attack on Saturday where Noble Connection will line up at Belmont whilst Outspoken Lad contests the $60,000 TABtouch Carnarvon Cup (2000m) at Carnarvon.