The Gore stock agent has raced horses in syndicates in the past, including Suzie Blue (three wins), but Luminesce's win in the 2yr-old sires' stakes fillies heat was almost immediate reward for Pearce's big plunge at the 2012 yearling sales - well, as immediate as a reward can be when buying a yearling.
Luminesce is out of the multiple group 1-winning mare One Dream, but it was not just the pedigree that captured Pearce's attention on the first day of the Christchurch sales.
''I took one look at her, and I couldn't stop thinking about her all day,'' Pearce said.
But while it may have been love at first sight for Pearce, he did not hold out much hope of securing her before she entered the ring.
''I had no intentions of buying her. I didn't think I could afford her on the day,'' he said.
''It was the most stressful thing I've done in my life. Paying $45,000 for a horse is out of my comfort zone.''
The large investment for the Wayne Adams-trained Mach Three filly is part of a long-term plan for Pearce and wife Mandy.
''I've had horses before, but I wanted to get something to breed from - I wanted a good broodmare,'' he said.
Luminesce's 2.04.6 victory by a neck over Raksdeal was a track record for 2yr-old fillies, beating Scotlynn Jane's time of 2.05.2 set in April 2006, giving Pearce a nice mile rate of 1.57.9 to take to the broodmare paddock when he eventually retires Luminesce.
Not bad for a horse which was not a guaranteed starter in the heat until last weekend.
''We didn't even know if we were going to come or not. We went to the work-outs the other day and thought we'd front up and see what happens,'' Pearce said.
