Beaconsfield trainer Brent Parish’s latest purchase, La Pierre ($5.50), opened his winning account in Tasmania when scoring in a 45 to 49 national rating (2200m) event in Launceston on Sunday night.
The four-year-old gelded son of La Pierre had won three of his previous 23 starts, including back-to-back wins at Gawler in September.
On Sunday, driver Rohan Hillier had the pacer settled three-back on the pylons before leading up the one-wide line from the 600m and proving too tough in the home straight to record a two-metre win over Vincents Rainbow ($7) and Midnight Dancer ($5.50) in a mile rate of 2:01.7s.
“He went a little bit better than expected. His trackwork had been ok, but nothing flash,” said Parish about the win.
The hobby trainer purchased the horse online and expects the pacer to take some natural improvement from the first-up effort.
“I was looking for another one, and I was looking at the Trading Ring online looking for something in my price range, at the right class, and he popped up, and I didn’t mind his last couple of runs. I don’t usually buy them from South Australia, but I took that chance.
“I have had him about eight weeks. He trialled the other week, and he hung a bit on the last turn, so I changed a bit of gear on him, and everything seemed to work out all right.
“Rohan (Hillier) was happy with him and said he was strong through the line, and I think the run will do him a world of good as I don’t have anything to work him with at the moment.
“Hopefully, he can win a couple more and pay his way,” the trainer added.
The win completed a driving double for Hillier who trained and drove Smokescreen ($1.55 fav) to victory in the Be at the Easter Cup Saturday 19 April Pace (2200m).
Smokescreen, a four-year-old gelded son of Bettors Delight, recorded a last-stride win, which was the fourth in a 19-start career that has also included eight placings.
