Co-trainers Daniel and Ben Pearce celebrated a winning double with stable jockey Jarrad Noske at Northam on Thursday.
The Pearce yard were represented by three runners at the Avon Valley meeting and got off to a flying start after new stable addition, Koranis, broke his maiden status in the Gannons Sportswear and Trophies Maiden Handicap (1300m).
The Pierro four-year-old was racing first-up off an eight-month break and, despite being unplaced from eight career starts leading into Thursday’s event, he was the target of strong betting support pre-race ($9 into $2.60) and duly saluted.
Drifting original favourite Paty’s Forecast ($2.10 out to $3.50) finished one-and-a-half lengths away in second place, while Dafox ($13) was a further length back in third.
Fellow Pearce-trained four-year-old Chapasco ($1.90) was also victorious first-up from a spell on Thursday, defeating Bombardment ($4.20) by a half-length in the Gannons Racing Colours Handicap (1600m).
Still Awake ($23) finished a further two lengths away in third place.
Chapasco was tuned up with two promising Lark Hill trials leading into his race return, the most recent when finishing one-length second to Bunker Baster over 1450m on August 19.
The Oakland Park-bred High Chaparral gelding contested the Listed JC Roberts Stakes, Listed Melvista Stakes and Group 2 WATC Derby during the autumn three-year-old feature race series last campaign and relished the drop in grade at Northam.
Pearce Racing have prepared 10 winners and eight minor place-getters from their past 34 starters, returning a winning strike-rate of more than 29 per cent in that time.
The in-form stable have Don’t Fuss, Mad Brad, Time To Hunt and Manhattan Money engaged at Belmont’s Idyllic Prince Stakes meeting on Saturday.
[PHOTO: Western Racepix]