Fiorente (Ire) can land a posthumous victory in the 2024 Group 2 Perth Cup (2400m) with Lynward Park-bred stayer Fear The Wind.

The 2013 Melbourne Cup winner was aged 15 when he died at Widden Victoria on May 30.  He’s the sire of 8 Stakes winners including Lynward Park’s LR Belmont Classic winner Baronova who is bred on the same Fiorente – Danehill cross as Fear The Wind.

Pearce Racing will set Fear The Wind for the $1 million Perth Cup on New Year’s Day after he nailed a picket-fence in the $100,000 Rogan Josh Hcp (2200m) at Belmont on Saturday.  With Willie Pike aboard, he defied the late challenges of Sluice Box (My Admiration) and his Lynward Park-bred stablemate Queen Alina (Mahuta).

“He was spot-on today and he’s done an amazing job to win five in a row,” co-trainer Ben Pearce said.  “He had to chase the tearaway leader (Holy Enchantment) and just managed to cling on.  He showed us a lot of ability on the way through and now he’s rewarding the owners.”

Fear The Wind has earned $280,000 for a syndicate that includes Lynward Park’s Troy and Chad van Heemst who stayed in after selling him to Jason Ferguson for $50,000 at the 2019 Perth Magic Millions.

Troy van Heemst told The West Australian Fear The Wind had to overcome several setbacks before hitting career-best form.  “I don’t think I’ve ever seen a five year-old improve at every run like he has this campaign.  He punctured his butt right into his hamstring getting off the float one day and he also had a throat surgery early doors.”

Fear The Wind is the final foal of Windana and among her other winners is the dam of Group 1 NZ Levin Classic winner Southern Lord.  The Danehill mare had been purchased from Collingrove Stud by agent John Chalmers on behalf of Lynward Park for $72,500 at the 2005 Magic Millions National Sale.

Windana is also the dam of Simplyirresistible (Royal Academy) who has yearling filly and a weanling colt from the first two crops of Bondi (Snitzel) who stands at Lynward Park for a $6,600 (inc GST) service fee.