Pearce Racing’s talented mare Platinum Shot returns to town next week after her latest win in Albany last Friday.

The Yarradale Stud-bred graduate has her Great Southern rivals covered, nevertheless, it’s been a hard row to hoe in city ranks since her 2yo days when she was placed in the LR Supremacy Stakes (1000m) and Crystal Slipper Stakes (1100m) at Ascot.

She gets the chance to make a deserved breakthrough with nominations for a Class Three Hcp (1200m) at Ascot on Wednesday and a Class Five Hcp (1200m) at Belmont on Thursday.

Platinum Shot (Shooting To Win) was the first-leg of a running double for Yarradale at Albany in the Wellington & Reeves Bluff Knoll 16th March Hcp (1100m).  Gingerquest (Gingerbread Man) filled it out for local trainer Roy Rogers in the TABtouch Hcp (1240m).

“It was a worthwhile trip to the Albany Racing Club when Platinum Shot won first-up from a lengthy spell,” Pearce Racing reported.  “She was a model of consistency last preparation and looks set for another nice campaign!

“Platinum Shot was having her first race start for more than nine months and enjoyed a gun run one-out and one-back for apprentice Zephen Johnston-Porter.  She hit the front 150m from home but had a tendency to lay in abruptly over the final stages.  She did pull away late and that helped her survive an unsuccessful protest.”

A $55,000 buy at the 2022 Perth Magic Millions, the Yarradale-drafted filly has now earned over $133,000 with $24,000 in Westspeed Bonuses.  She is prepared and part-owned by Ben and Dan Pearce and Yarradale owner Lyn Sayers kept a share with stable clients.

The encouraging return to racing off a lengthy absence will hopefully kick-start a fruitful campaign that will further enhance her broodmare value after obtaining black type as a two-year-old.

She the third winner from three to the races from Platinum Power (Commands) following Gambler's Gold (War Chant) and Little Silver (Exosphere).  The mare has an unraced 2yo filly named Tiny Champion (Astern), a yearling filly by Sessions and a weanling colt by Lightsaber.

Second-dam Verse (Quest for Fame) was a $30,000 purchase for Belmont Bloodstock as agent for Yarradale as an unraced broodmare prospect at a Darley Reduction Sale in 2010.  The following year one of her earlier foals Lamasery (Commands) added more black-type to the page in the G2 Hill Stakes at Randwick.

Verse later foaled G3 WA Oaks (2400m) winner Lady Chant (War Chant) at Gidgegannup.  Yarradale bred the classic filly and kept a share after selling her to Singapore owner Constance Cheng for $180,000 at the 2020 Perth Magic Millions Yearling Sale.

Platinum Shot with Zephen Johnston-Porter and Pearce Racing foreperson Tayla Fitzgerald at Albany / Photo: Western Racepix