Gai Waterhouse continued her domination of the Sydney Autumn Carnival with Pierro taking out the Group 1 $400,000 Moet & Chandon Champagne Stakes (1600m) at Randwick today.

Pierro

Pierro has completed the 2yo Triple Crown, winning the Champagne Stakes - photo (c) Steve Hart

Pierro completed the Triple Crown for two year olds having already won the Group 1 $3.5m AAMI Golden Slipper (1200m) at Rosehill on April 7 and the Group 1 $500,000 Inglis Sires Produce Stakes (1400m) at Randwick on April 14.

And today’s win by Pierro took Waterhouse and Nash Rawiller to six Group 1 wins over the Carnival, having already won twice with Pierro, More Joyous winning the Queen Of The Turf and The Doncaster Mile as well as Laser Hawk winning the Rosehill Guineas.

Pierro remains unbeaten as he becomes the first two year old to take out the Triple Crown since Dance Hero in 2004, who also trained by Waterhouse.

Waterhouse described Pierro as ‘outstanding’ and said he was a very special horse to have won the three major two year old Group ones as a colt.

Dance Hero was a gelding  while Tierce was the last colt to take out the triple crown in 1991. Burst, a filly won it in 1992 while the greats, Baguette (1970) and Luskin Star (1977) also completed the three wins.

“We are very privileged to see a horse as good as him,” Waterhouse said.

“Just savour the moment. We’ve seen a special horse today. He’s outstanding. They don’t do it. I’ve trained plenty of good two year olds and they don’t do it, the colts, win the triple crown. It’s really hard to do.”

Rawiller has Pierro positioned just behind the pace when Tatra took over the running at thee 1000m and had him ready to deliver his winning move at the top of the rise when it was clear nothing else was going to beat him.

When Rawiller let him go he cruised away to score by two and three quarter lengths from Dear Demi who made up ground in the straight with Tatra a further three and a quarter lengths away in third spot.

“He’s just been phenomenal to ride. You know he was arrogant today. There’s no other word to describe it,” Rawiller said.

“He’s such a magnificent horse.”

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.