This Saturday, co-trainers Ben and Daniel Pearce will head to the Gascoyne region for the first time as a team, saddling up Outspoken Lad in a bid to claim the $60,000 TABtouch Carnarvon Cup (2000m). <\/p>\n
The Pearce brothers boast a strong reputation in Perth and provincial racing, and Ben said the duo is excited at the prospect of taking home the trophy. \u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThe race fits well for the horse. We\u2019ve been running him on the fibre sand at Bunbury, and he got the kick back and ran through it, so as long as he handles the track he\u2019ll go well,\u201d Ben said.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou see horses that have good city form, and they come to a track like Carnarvon and they don\u2019t travel at all, but Outspoken Lad has all the makings of a horse that can.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe can travel in a run, he can be on pace, he\u2019s a tough, strong gelding.\u201d<\/p>\n
The six-year-old gelding, piloted by Austin Galati, is the second elect for punters marked at $4.80 with TABtouch, second only to last year\u2019s winner Gamblers Gold ($3.90) for renowned country trainer Darryn Pateman. <\/p>\n
Pateman is looking to go back-to-back with the favourite and boasts six chances in total from his stable in the biggest race on the Gascoyne racing calendar. <\/p>\n
A strong supporter of regional racing, Pateman looks to achieve his 100th cup victory in WA on Saturday, after his stable claimed both minor placings in the Junction Cup last weekend.<\/p>\n
Darryn\u2019s son Aaron is following in his footsteps, preparing two runners of his own for the Cup \u2013 Trooper Phoenix ($14) and former G1 contender Hafey ($10), winner of last week\u2019s Junction Cup booted home by Aaron\u2019s wife Kate. <\/p>\n
In form apprentice Holly Nottle takes over the mount this weekend looking for more regional success to go with her Port Hedland Cup victory last month. <\/p>\n
The Carnarvon Cup is one of the highlights of the winter racing calendar in regional WA, drawing strong local support and luring trainers and owners from across the state. <\/p>\n
Ben said the Pearce stable is looking forward to being a part of the tradition at the red dirt track and connecting with a racing community that thrives on the sport. <\/p>\n
\u201cRacing in regional areas is great for the community, it\u2019s important they get support from horses and trainers to keep the interest growing,\u201d Ben said.<\/p>\n
\u201cRacing is high intensity all the time, we\u2019re always busy but it\u2019s good to get away to a place like Carnarvon and catch up with everyone and enjoy the races.\u201d<\/p>\n
Racing in the Gascoyne contributes $13.9 million of the $1.3 billion that the racing industry generates for WA’s economy annually with the Carnarvon Race Club a cornerstone of the community since 1883.<\/p>\n