Consistent pacer Vampiro has overcome a tough run to take out the Group 2 Mount Eden Sprint (1730m) at Gloucester Park last night.
Vampiro was able to find the breeze from barrier six, with race favourite Maczaffair holding the lead from barrier one.
Rocknroll Lincoln and King Of Swing were two of the other main fancies in the race and they settled behind Vampiro.
Driven by Ryan Warwick, Vampiro eventually wore down Maczaffair in the closing stages to win by a head and rated 1.55.2.
Rocknroll Lincoln held off Tricky Styx to finish third, while King Of Swing was unlucky in finishing sixth.
Vampiro has not missed a top five finish in 30 starts in Western Australia and is shaping up as one of the leading summer carnival contenders for trainers Greg and Skye Bond.
Mitch Maguire and Better B Chevron brought up the second and third leg of a winning treble on the night for Warwick and the Bond team.
Despite having to settle for second in the feature event of the night, trainer and driver combination Mike and Mark Reed teamed up with Bechers Brook to take out the Worldwide Printing Pace (2130m).
It was the four-year-old’s second victory of the week after he won at Pinjarra on Monday.
Maxentius and Kerrin Joseph opened up a significant lead on the rest of the field in the back straight on the final lap, before Bechers Brook eventually got clear to set out after them.
Bechers Brook hit the lead in the last 25m, as he displayed a powerful finish.
Mark Reed said he was relieved Bechers Brook was able to pick up the leaders after a difficult run throughout.
“We pulled the wrong rein and got in a bit of trouble at about the 600,” he said.
“When he got clear, he probably wasn’t entitled to win so it was a super effort.”
Reed said he wasn’t sure who the stable’s best chance in the Golden Nugget, following Golden State’s winning return on Tuesday.
“I’ve always thought all along Golden State was the better horse,” he said.
“This time in Bechers Brook has definitely come back in a lot better.
“He’s a lot tougher.”
Meanwhile, 2017 WA Derby winner Handsandwheels made a winning start his spring campaign, taking out the TABtouch Better Your Bet Pace (2130m).
The five-year-old was too quick for his rivals at the start and had no issue finding the front from barrier four.
Handsandwheels went on to win by three metres to Neighlor and Twentynine Twelve.
Driver Aiden De Campo said Handsandwheels would take plenty of improvement from the run.
“I was happy with him first-up,” he said.
“There’s a lot of improvement left in him.”
Tim Walker