Ben Pearce expects improvement from Fear The Wind
Ben Pearce expects further improvement and believes the best is yet to come from Fear The Wind after the gelding’s winning spree continued at Belmont.
A son 2013 Melbourne Cup champion, Fiorente, Fear The Wind ended his winter campaign on a winning high in the Rogan Josh Stakes (2200m) on Saturday.
In a test of his stamina, Fear The Wind held on determinedly to defeat the fast-finishing Sluice Box with stable mate Queen Alina holding down third place.
Continuing a charge towards his next target, Fear The Wind stretched his winning spree to five and is seven overall from 21 starts with close to $300,000 in earnings.
Daniel & Ben Pearce, who with his brother and co-trainer, Dan, is experiencing a career-best season, says Fear The Wind is spelling and will be aimed at January’s revamped Perth Cup.
“He’s just had a sensational campaign,” Pearce told Tabradio.
“It’s taken him a little bit of time to get there, but he’s really strung a good prep together.
“He has showed us ability along the way and had a derby prep as a three-year-old.
“He always stood out as a possible stayer of the future.
“He’s off to the paddock now and looking at a Perth Cup campaign.
“Willie (Pike) feels he’ll be an even better horse in a race with more pressure in front and he can sit off them.
“Moving forward as he gets into better races and better tempo his racing pattern could change and he could even improve under those sort of conditions.”
Pearce said Queen Alina will progress to two rating ratings in the next month in what has been a muddled campaign for the mare.
A drop in grade chasing Westspeed bonuses looks a suitable option for the four-year-old.
Meanwhile, Pearce believes Outspoken Lad could follow in the same path as Fear The Wind in 12-months’ time.
A comfortable winner over Flash Ducati and Dad’s Bigheaded Headed on Saturday, Pearce says Outspoken Lad is showing good staying ability.
“He’s a nice horse, pretty similar to Fear The Wind with that staying ability,” Pearce said.
“He didn’t handle the firm tracks in summer, they were really firm.
“He’s bounced back to form and shown the ability he’s got.
“He’s a horse that could go on with it this prep and also next winter looking at a similar path to Fear The Wind.”
Racing and Wagering Western Australia (RWWA) announced last Tuesday a cash injection for the Perth Cup.
To be run on New Year’s Day at Ascot, prizemoney has been bumped to $1 million.
More Racing News
Augustus and Desert Hero debut in Flemington feature
While the Australian Cup Prelude at Flemington doesn't carry the weight of the day's opening races, it has the potential to highlight future stars for major events ahead.Ciaron Maher will launch two newcomers from overseas in the Saturday 2000m race – Augustus and Desert Hero.Desert Hero already has Australian experience,...
Robbie Griffiths plans VRC Sires' Produce Stakes tilt with Almost An Angel
For the youngsters, the VRC Sires' Produce Stakes provides the debut opportunity to tackle a genuine journey.Now that the Blue Diamond Stakes, Victoria's top juvenile prize, has been run and captured last month, attention shifts for the fast two-year-olds to the Golden Slipper up in Sydney.Robbie Griffiths, however, set his...
Ipswich Friday features prepared Sir Maurice
With an advantageous claim on weight and a competitor set for a win, Jack Bruce is eager for Sir Maurice to perform at Ipswich this coming Friday.Marking his fifth run this campaign, the five-year-old offspring of champion Japanese sire Maurice enters the Great Northern Benchmark 65 Handicap (1200m) for an...
Blinkers and McDonald for Hidrix in key Todman Stakes before Golden Slipper
Hidrix, once the top pick for the Golden Slipper, faces two major tweaks for his engagement in the Todman Stakes at Randwick: blinkers fitted and James McDonald in the saddle.Although McDonald guided stable companion Confederation during the Canonbury Stakes (1100m) Hidrix won and the Silver Slipper (1100m), he'll switch to...
Filly Caffe Florian emerges as next talent for Richard Litt
Though Richard Litt runs a modest team in numbers, he has proven adept at pinpointing quality performers.Responsible for training dual Group 1 champion Castelvecchio and Profondo's 2021 Spring Champion Stakes success, the Warwick Farm conditioner now seems to hold a fresh prospect in developing filly Caffe Florian.The three-year-old by Snitzel...
Waller's entrants set for All-Star Mile at Flemington
Leading handler Chris Waller embraces the All-Star Mile format since its promotion to Group 1.Launched back in 2019, the All-Star Mile moved between key Melbourne venues and mirrored Japan's Arima Kinen by letting the public choose their top pick.Changes were implemented in later years, and Waller entered sparingly.Securing Group 1...
Mark Zahra backs Tentyris to overcome weight in Newmarket
Mark Zahra, the jockey, doesn't see the allocated weight for Tentyris as a barrier to the colt capturing the Newmarket Handicap at Flemington.To win the Group 1 1200m event at Flemington on Saturday, Tentyris must replicate the weight record set by Ajax back in 1938.The 57kg impost matches what Fastnet...
Freedman eyes Ninja's mile potential in Randwick Guineas
Michael Freedman counts on Ninja getting forward in the run as an essential element boosting his shot at the Group One Randwick Guineas.Unlike key challengers Autumn Boy and Attica, who prefer to come from off the pace, Ninja showed his flexibility in the Hobartville Stakes (1400m) by tracking the pacesetter...
Experienced Coal Crusher set for Newcastle Stakes challenge
If Coal Crusher maintains his strong connection with the Newcastle venue, he could provide Joe Pride with an excellent beginning to his weekend on a prominent regional racing occasion.On a quick six-day freshen-up from his Liverpool City Cup (1300m) defeat at Randwick, the gelding lines up in Friday's Group 3...
Rawiller's decision spotlights Lady Shenandoah's Canterbury Stakes bid
With Ciaron Maher readying Gringotts for his seasonal reappearance in the Canterbury Stakes at Randwick, another jockey has accidentally boosted the credentials of a prominent rival entrant.Nash Rawiller built an impressive alliance with Gringotts late in his previous campaign, notching successive wins in the Big Dance and The Gong.They were...