Ginger Baker and Decoration give Pearce stable strong hand in Coolgardie Cup

Dan and Ben Pearce are heading into Sunday’s Coolgardie Cup (1760m) with a strong two-pronged attack; confident they have their bases covered with Ginger Baker and Decoration.

Seasoned campaigner Ginger Baker brings black-type credentials, having won the Listed South-West Autumn Cup (2200m) at Bunbury last July and his first up third to Phanta in the Idyllic Prince Stakes (1300m) was full of merit.

With his campaign geared toward the Kalgoorlie feature races, including the Boulder Cups and Kalgoorlie Cups, the Coolgardie Cup is Ginger Baker’s first major target, and the Pearce brothers are optimistic he can measure up.

While his only previous run at Kalgoorlie in the Hannans Handicap was underwhelming, finishing 10^th of 11, the Pearce brothers believe there were genuine reasons and expect the eight-year-old to bounce back.

“Ginger Baker is going fantastic and to come from I think six weeks between runs, 2200m back to 1300m and going like he did the other day was very good,” Dan Pearce said on Tabradio.

“We sort of toyed going to the Farnley (1400m) or staying in the Coolgardie Cup.

“But out to 1760m will suit him more, he just has to handle the travel and the track.

“He’s been up there once before and failed, but I think he had excuses that day.

“If he can handle the travel, he’ll be very hard to beat.”

On the flipside, Decoration hasn’t reached the heights of Ginger Baker just yet, but is unbeaten in three starts at Kalgoorlie, the latest a fortnight back in in the Tattersall’s Cup (1616m).

Natasha Faithfull, who has formed a strong partnership with the Pearce stable, retains the ride and has been pivotal in Decoration’s success.

Despite stepping up in class, his flawless Kalgoorlie record makes him a serious contender.

“Decoration is three from three at the track and really likes it up there,” Pearce said.

“Obviously a step up in grade, but the fact that he loves the track, the distance, handles the travel, is certainly worth a throw at the stumps.”

Ginger Baker carries the top weight of 60kg and will jump from barrier four under Brad Parnham.

Tabtouch has marked him at $4.20, second favourite behind Sentimental Hero ($3.90).

Decoration has gate 10 and is currently rated a $6 chance.

Meanwhile, the Pearce partnership is keen to get another look at Rock Fest at Belmont on Saturday.

The son of Awesome Rock is coming out of a brilliant debut, winning by close to six lengths.

The brothers, led by Ben, have a massive opinion of the three-year-old, who is the raging $1.40 favourite to make it two wins from two in the MCA Polytrack Plate (1400m).

Julio Santarelli