Classic Contenders for Pierro
Reigning champion first season sire Pierro put his cards on the table on Wednesday with a two state metropolitan treble highlighted by a resounding win in the $50,000 VRC Kennedy Oaks Trial for superbly bred filly Pinot (3f Pierro x Dizelle, by Zabeel).
The Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott trained filly has been competing in Victoria and had shown steady progress in three previous starts finishing second at Geelong and Bendigo at her most recent runs.
She relished the step out to 1800 metres and bolted away for Steve Baster to win as she pleased by nearly four lengths over So You Think filly Think Diamonds.
"Look at her breeding, that's what she's made to do," said Steve Baster, when asked if she was serious Oaks material.
"Today she was good. She still did a little bit wrong, but as you saw, when I zigged I should have zagged, but I eventually got the run and really launched to the line.
"I think she's quite a good filly. She hasn't realised she's a racehorse yet, so there's improvement to come."
A $200,000 Inglis Easter purchase from the Coolmore draft for Eclipse Thoroughbreds, Pinot runs for a partnership that also includes Newgate Farm, James Bester and Kate Waterhouse.
She is certainly bred to win an Oaks being a half-sister to stakes-winner Dizlago and Group II placed Lucky Lago from Group I AJC Australian Oaks winner Dizelle, a full sister to HK Horse of the Year Vengeance of Rain.
Pinot has an interesting 2 x 4 double cross of champion sire Zabeel, so the 2500 metres of the Group I VRC Oaks should hold no fears for her!
Earlier in the day, exciting Mick Price trained colt Octabello (3c Pierro x Charlotte de Belle, by Secret Savings) kept his unbeaten record intact when charging home to score a narrow win over 1400 metres at his second start.
He was a long way back in the run, but let down impressively for Dwayne Dunn to score a determined half head win and is entered for the Group I MRC Caulfield Guineas and Victoria Derby.
A $190,000 Inglis Premier purchase from the Cornerstone Stud draft for his trainer, Octabello is the third winner for Charlotte de Belle, a full sister to dual Group I winner and $1.9 million earner Dash for Cash.
Pierro continued his winning run over in Perth where the Bob and Sandra Peters homebred Action (3g Pierro x Broadway Belle, by Redoute's Choice) scored a commanding win on debut at Belmont.
The Grant and Alana Williams trained gelding powered clear to win over 1300 metres by two lengths.
Action is the second winner for Broadway Belle, a stakes-winning Redoute’s Choice full sister to stakes-winner Antique Belle.
A superstar at two and three, Pierro has a pedigree that would suggest his three year-olds should be well suited for classic success at three and in Pinot, Octabello and Action we have three prime contenders.
The best son of champion sire Lonhro, Pierro stands at a fee of $49,500.