It was a sea of cerise and white in the last 100 metres of Saturday's $500,000 Group II TABTouch Perth Cup (2400m) as Star Exhibit clung to a desperate nose victory over the gallant Neverland who was consigned to the runner-up stall the second consecutive year.
It was the third consecutive quinella in the race for the omnipotent Bob Peters and his seventh win overall.
If not for Tradesman edging out Perfect Reflection for third, Peters would have claimed the trifecta while his other runner Dark Alert clocked in fifth.
One of five starters in the race for Geoff Durrant and Jason Miller, Star Exhibit was set down to an all-out drive by Jarrad Noske at the point of the turn.
He took control at the 300 metres but Glenn Smith was winding Neverland up down the outside.
The two hit the line together with the judge finding the narrowest of margins for Star Exhibit.
The son of Statue Of Liberty (USA) had earned his first stakes success at his previous start in the Listed ATA Stakes.
His overall record stands at 8 wins, 3 seconds and 2 thirds from 17 starts with earnings of $677,275
Co-trainer Jason Miller said he thought Star Exhibit had been beaten on the line.
"He's got that little bit of brilliance about him, Miller said.
"When he kicked I was hoping he hadn't got there too soon. On
After his
The Bob and Sandra Peters homebred is the first foal of Star Encounter (Jeune) who earned just a single Listed stakes win but placed in the WA Oaks, WA Derby and Strickland Stakes on the way to compiling a record of eight wins and seven placings from 30 starts with earnings of $563,090.
Star Encounter has a 2yo Redoute's Choice filly named Perfect Jewel and foaled a brother to Star Exhibit on September 7.
Star Exhibit is one of 19 stakes-winners for Sun Stud's royally bred Statue Of Liberty (USA) who will have just one lot on offer at the Inglis Premier Yearling sale.
