Pierro ready for another outstanding autumn

Last season’s champion two year old Pierro has indicated another outstanding Autumn is in the making with an impressive barrier trial win at Rosehill this morning.

With regular rider Nash Rawiller still on the sidelines recovering from a broken ankle, Gai Waterhouse’s stable foreman Mark Newnham partnered Pierro in his easy three length trial win.

Pierro

Pierro had an easy trial win ahead of his autumn campaign. Photo by: Steve Hart

Waterhouse’s Racing Manager Bruce Slade reported that Tulloch Lodge was very happy with the hit out and a decision will be made soon if the super three year old will have another trial or go straight to Melbourne.

“He was very impressive winning by three lengths and Gai was thrilled with him,” Slade said..

“Gai wants to wait and see how he pulls up before working out what to do with him next.”

Pierro is nominated for the Group 1 $750,000 Australian Guineas (1600m) for the three year olds at Flemington on March 2 and the Group 1 $1m Lexus Newmarket Handicap (1200m) down the Flemington straight on March 9.

Waterhouse hasn’t confirmed an Autumn Carnival program but the likely plan is for Pierro to run first up in the Newmarket then head back to Sydney and target the Group 1 $2m BMW Doncaster Mile (1600m) at Randwick on April 20.

The Lonhro colt is undefeated in Sydney from seven starts which includes the two year old Triple Crown of the Golden Slipper, Sires Produce Stakes and the Champagne Stakes during last year’s Sydney Autumn Carnival.

Pierro showed that he was the superior two year old with a stunning win in the Group 1 $3.5m AAMI Golden Slipper (1200m) at Rosehill on April 7 and maintained that momentum to take out the Group 1 $500,000 Inglis Sires Produce Stakes (1400m) at Randwick seven days later.

Pierro then cemented his place as the champion two year old with a dominant win in the Group 1 $400,000 Moet & Chandon Champagne Stakes (1600m) at Randwick two weeks later.

The super colt went to Melbourne in the Spring and suffered his first defeat at the hands of All Too Hard in the Group 1 $1m BECK Caulfield Guineas (1600m) at Caulfield on October 13.

The two exceptional three year olds then clashed again in the Group 1 $3m Sportingbet Cox Plate (2040m) at Moonee Valley on October 27 with All Too Hard beating Pierro again when the pair finished second and third to the multiple Group 1 winning Kiwi Ocean Park.

All Too Hard is set to kick off his Autumn campaign this Saturday in the Group 1 $400,000 Sportingbet C.F. Orr Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield carrying his new colours, the green and white of Vinery Stud, and then continue on to the Australian Guineas at Flemington on March 2.

About The Author

Mark Mazzaglia

Mark is a passionate journalist with a life-time involvement in the racing industry. He spent many years as an analyst and form expert at the Courier Mail and also has hands-on experience working with some of Queensland’s top trainers.