[PHOTO: Western Racepix]
Pearce Racing prepared a dual-meeting treble at Ascot and Kalgoorlie on Saturday when Deep Envy, Well Played and Celebrity Witness were victorious in their respective races.
Deep Field filly Deep Envy kicked off the day in style when continuing her wonderful form and landing her third win from four starts this preparation in the Schweppes Handicap (1100m) at Ascot.
Starting on the fourth line of betting at $9 in her first start at Saturday level, the three-year-old jumped straight to the front for in-form hoop Chris Parnham and controlled proceedings before skipping clear and pinching a break on rivals turning for home.
It ended up being a winning move for the flashy chestnut as she did enough to cling on over the final stages, beating the fast-finishing Pot Shot ($4) by a nose.
Ex Sport Girl ($2.40) finished a further nose away in third place.
Deep Envy has now had six career starts for three wins, one minor placing and $113,740 in stake earnings and bonuses.
The good start continued into the Goldfields when Well Played brought up the first leg of a Kalgoorlie double when taking out the Witten’s Irrigation & Design Maiden (1400m).
Ridden by Natasha Faithfull, the Safeguard three-year-old was able to justify her $1.75 favouritism when settling outside of the leader throughout running before pulling away to score by a length-and-a-quarter on the line.
Oakwood ($8) finished in second place, with Mr Kohana ($5) a further head away third.
The victory was Well Played’s first from four career starts and came off the back of a narrow last-start second placing when beaten only a nose.
Later in the day five-year-old mare Celebrity Witness ($2.70) was able to land her first win of her campaign when successful in the Kunine Produce Handicap (1400m).
Also ridden by Faithfull, the daughter of Star Witness was given a lovely ride parked just behind the speed before levelling up to race-leader Deel Red ($9) at the 150m mark and getting the better of him to win by a half-length.
My Squeeze Louise ($6) finished a further two-and-three-quarter lengths away in third place.
Celebrity Witness has now had 29 starts for six wins, seven minor placings and $131,368 in stake earnings.
The Pearce stable have prepared 58 winners so far in the 2022/23 season, placing them equal-second on the state leaderboard.