Outspoken Lad steers straight to his third country gold of the season for Karnup training duo at Narrogin Cup

Tough galloper Outspoken Lad claimed the Narrogin and Esperance cup double after a dominant display at Narrogin Race and Pace on Sunday for Karnup co-trainers Daniel and Ben Pearce. Coming off his $100,000 Esperance Cup victory on March 1, Outspoken Lad delivered more glory for the Pearce team in the $70,000 Swan Draught Narrogin Cup (1900m), the major event on Narrogin Racing’s thoroughbred calendar. Jockey Kyra Yuill had the seven-year-old well placed in the run, sitting midfield. As the field turned for home Yuill was on the move, Outspoken Lad ($3.40) sprinting home well to get over stablemate Decoration ($6.50) and win by more than two lengths. Duchees Demerit ($12) ran home well to grab third. Yuill said Outspoken Lad ran the race out strongly and deserved his success. “I’d like to say thanks to the owners and trainers for putting me on, it’s really nice when you know you’ve got the horse underneath you to get the job done,” she said. Trainer Daniel Pearce said their cup winner was an “honest, consistent and very sound horse”, that has constantly shown up on the track over the last year. Outspoken Lad also won the Carnarvon Cup last year and was sixth in this year’s Albany Cup. “That’s his third country cup now, so we’re very happy,” Mr Pearce said. On a sad note, cup runner Kerman Rock compounded from the 700m and was eased down by rider Jessica Gray. Shortly after the winning post Gray dismounted with the gelding collapsing. The horse was immediately attended to be the on-course vet but was found to be deceased. A post-mortem sample was collected from Kerman Rock and the incident referred to the Racing and Wagering WA veterinary department for a subsequent review in accordance with stewards’ policy. Imapagethree Girl ($2.10) took out the other feature race the Ike Kempton Memorial Handicap (1190m) in a photo finish for trainer Mack Hall. Hall, who had a win on cup day last year as well, had Jefferson Tsang aboard his six-year-old mare as they held off Good Vibes in the finish. ke Kempton’s son Stuart said Narrogin Racing was “in dire straits” when his father put in the time and effort alongside a small community group to resurrect the track when the council at the time opted to close it down. Narrogin Racing held its official launch meeting on September 28, 2008 before going on to become the strong regional club it now is. Hall said he was rapt to win the Kempton memorial feature race. “It’s great to learn about the history of Narrogin and it’s good we’re still racing,” he said. “Credit goes to Kempton’s old man for keeping it going.” The day kicked off with trainer-jockey Casey Hunter steering Four Seas ($5.50) to victory in the TABtouch Place a Same Race Multi Handicap (1900m). In the small field of six, Hunter sat third before charging home in the straight to win by more than a length over Three Grand. Rodney Oh Rodney finished powerfully to win the James Squire Handicap (1100m) for trainer Jim Enright and apprentice jockey Giaan O’Donnell. Despite the tough run, O’Donnell helped the four-year-old gelding claim a second win in eight days. Trainer Paul Roberts and hoop Chanel Cooper combined with Longtimebeliever ($8.50) to win the Emu Export Maiden Handicap (1100m) in a photo finish over Artie’s Eclipse. Rider Elisha Whittington then scored a comfortable two-length win aboard Hundred Yards ($5.50) from the Brett Pope stable in the XXXX Maiden Handicap (1720m) WA newcomer Shamister ($3.90) saluted for trainer Joshua Krispyn in the Guinness Handicap (1720m). At just his second WA start, the gelding won by a long head with Rocky Cheung in the saddle. Rounding out the day, Albany’s Ashleigh Woolett won the Kirin Hyoketsu Handicap (1900m) with reliable stayer Magic Mikey ($4.80).