Pierro Scares Away Rivals

Just seven horses will take on Pierro in the Group 2 Bill Stutt Stakes (1600m) with many rivals opting to avoid the unbeaten colt.

Thirteen horses were entered for Friday night’s three-year-old feature on Monday but that number suffered a large reduction when acceptances were made today.

Pierro

Pierro will face seven rivals in the Group 2 Bill Stutt Stakes. Photo by: Steve Hart

Early markets have the Gai Waterhouse-trained colt at $1.20 for what will be his only test in the Melbourne direction ahead of next month’s Caulfield Guineas.

His record speaks for itself with seven undefeated starts, including three at Group 1 level, and a prize pool of more than $3 million.

Perhaps the only query about the son of Lonhro, if there is one, is his ability to adapt to Moonee Valley and the Melbourne way of going but Waterhouse is so confident she has elected not to give him an early look at the track.

His nearest rivals in betting are lightly-raced colt Philippi ($9.00) and last-start Henry Bucks Stakes winner Jimando ($10.00).

Just eight horses will line up in the Moir Stakes from 15 entries with the inclusion of strong sprinters Buffering and Tiger Tees likely to have caused many to look elsewhere.

The pair headline a small but quality field that also includes Group 1 winners Atomic Force and Green Birdie as well as consistent mare Platelet.

The presence of star sprinting filly Snitzerland in the Group 3 Champagne Stakes (1200m) has failed to dampen the hopes of her competitors with all 10 nominated horses accepting.

Among them is Hoss Amor who will be having her first start of the spring after excelling with three stakes victories in Brisbane during the winter.

A strong contingent of stayers will contest the Group 3 JRA Cup (2400m) with in-form gelding Excluded heading a full 14-horse field.

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