Natasha Faithfull’s irrepressible form and flourishing partnership with co-trainers Dan and Ben Pearce continued when she led Decoration to a fighting win in Sunday’s Goldfields Tattersalls Club Cup (1616m), setting the five-year-old for a potential tilt at the Coolgardie Cup (1760m).
After travelling one-two in running alongside It’s A Lance, Decoration surged to the lead at the top of the straight, but It’s A Lance refused to yield, rallying strongly and made the favourite fight all the way to the line.
In a stirring finish, Decoration found the upper hand late and scored by a neck with Ryewood a length away third and Feuding fourth, giving leading Kalgoorlie trainer, Peter Fernie with three of the minor placegetters.
The win marked a strong comeback from Decoration, who finished last at his previous start at Pinjarra, but clearly appreciated being back in Kalgoorlie, a happy hunting ground where he boasts a perfect three-from-three record.
Faithfull believes Decoration can continue his Goldfields dominance in upcoming feature races.
“He’s an absolute weapon here and I think he’ll be a good chance in some of these feature races,” Faithfull said.
“He got a beautiful run in transit, and he was strong to the line.”
Decoration, sired by Epaulette, has recorded five wins from 24 starts with nine minor placings.
He capped a great weekend for Faithfull and continues the momentum she built last season when she claimed the National Provincial Jockey title.
Faithfull rode a double at Bunbury on Thursday and booted home Desert Nymph at double figure odds in the final event at Belmont on Saturday.
The Coolgardie Cup, boasting a prize pool of $100,000, will be run on September 7.
Julio Santarelli