Country trophies specialist Outspoken Lad fought off city rivals to score an upset win for co-trainers Dan and Ben Pearce in the $100,000 Diggers’ Cup (1800m) at Ascots’ Anzac meeting on Saturday.

The seven-year-old gelding, ridden by Brad Parnham, swept clear on straightening before he narrowly held out River Rubicon, Fancy Red and odds on favourite Royal Toronado in an exciting finish.

Outspoken Lad has won the Carnarvon, Esperance and Narrogin cups this season, but bookmakers offered him at about $9.00 when he tackled Saturday’s metropolitan event.

He completed a treble for the Pearce stable, who had won earlier on Saturday with Cos I Am and Noble Connection.

Ben Pearce revealed Outspoken Lad was lucky to be racing, after a stable injury.

“He ran fourth in the WATC Derby, but then fractured a tibula (shinbone) in an accident on the water walker as an early four-year-old,” Pearce said. “He’s done well to come back.

“This horse is as tough as nails and his country feature event wins have been outstanding. Today, he gathered momentum and kept rolling. We plan to keep racing him between 1600m and 2000m.”

Outspoken Lad, bought for $60,000 at a Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, has won nine races and earned almost $500,000 in 43 starts.

Parnham said he decided against seeking an inside run after taking up second spot with Outspoken Lad in the Diggers’ Cup.

“I felt it was best that he be given plenty of room while flowing freely in his rhythm,” the hoop said. “It could have been against him if I hauled into position where we were saving ground.”

Dual licenced Casey Hunter trained her first city winner when Uni Queen recorded a race two victory on Saturday.

Albany-based Hunter, a trainer and jockey, booked Holly Watson to ride Uni Queen at Ascot. The mare had been an Albany winenr when ridden by Hunter at her previous two starts.