Classy Pierro 3YO Breaks the Ice

Runner-up at his first three starts as a two year-old last season including a second in the Group III ATC Fernhill Mile always made Wheelhouse (3c Pierro x Sailing By, by Fastnet Rock) look a good thing in a midweek maiden and the promising colt duly saluted at Randwick on Wednesday.

Having his first start for new trainer Chris Waller, Wheelhouse was sent out fit and ready to fire following three barrier trials last month.

Despite carrying 60kg in the 1400m maiden, Wheelhouse showed his class when powering clear under Hugh Bowman to win by more than two lengths.

Wheelhouse was a $600,000 Magic Millions purchase from the Coolmore draft for Jadeskye Racing/Brad Widdup Racing and now has a win and three placings from four starts with prizemoney topping $70,000.

Foaled and raised at Coolmore, Wheelhouse was the most expensive colt sired by Pierro to sell in 2019.

He is the first foal of Group II placed Fastnet Rock mare Sailing By, a daughter of Group II placed Galileo mare Amory Lane from the family of stakes-winner Planet Ruler.

Wheelhouse has the pedigree and a double cross of Sadler’s Wells to suggest classic aspirations would be well founded and is in the right stable to maximise that potential.

Wheelhouse could be ultimately bringing a big pedigree update for Lot 124 at the Inglis Classic Yearling Sale, a Merchant Navy colt from Madison Quays, an unraced half-sister to his dam Sailing By.

Sailing By has no yearling for the sales this year, but was covered by Justify last spring.