Pierata Wins G1 All Aged Stakes

If ever a horse was overdue to win a Group I race it is surely the talented Pierata (4h Pierro x November Flight, by Flying Spur), who rectified that one shortcoming on his imposing record when scoring a brilliant win in the Group I ATC All Aged Stakes at Randwick on Saturday.

Fifth, second and fifth at his three runs in Group I company this preparation, the Greg Hickman trained Pierata was cherry ripe for this assignment and under a perfect ride from regular partner Tommy Berry was able to achieve his first win at the elite level.

He enjoyed a smooth run in transit settling in fifth position and was able to hit the line hard to win the 1400 metre weight-for-age sprint by along neck over Osborne Bulls sparking scenes of joy in the mounting yard.

Pierata’s large group of owners, decked out in his eye-catching red, yellow and blue colours made the most of their day in the Group I spotlight which trainer Greg Hickman described as ‘life changing’.

“I’m pretty relieved, we’ve been knocking on the door for so long,” Hickman said.

“The pressure’s there, you try to ignore it but it’s always there and it becomes greater and greater every time you get beaten.

“You talk about having a good horse and how it can be life changing, but for a smaller stable like ours a horse like this is a life changer.

“I’ve got a little share in him so that will help a long the way a bit.

“He’s a good horse and I’m just so proud of him. Everyone at home and my farrier Scotty Peters.”

A little wayward at the jump, Pierata did everything right from that point on.

“He jumped a bit sideways, I probably collected three or four of them (rivals) on the way out. It might of helped us,” Tommy Berry said.

“He travelled so sweetly for me in the run. At the top of the rise on the better going he was able to let down with that signature turn of foot he has got.

“I thought Hughie (Bowman – Osborne Bulls) ) was going to get me at the 100m but my bloke actually pulled away from him late.

“He deserved to win, he is a quality colt and I’m sure there will be a lot of studs knocking on the door now.”

Hickman said future plans are now up in the air with potential stud deals likely to be assessed in coming weeks.

“It depends what happens with stud deals,” Hickman said.

“I know Brisbane’s there and there’s a couple of nice Group I targets but I’d also be quite happy to freshen him up and run him in The Everest.

“I’m just trying to do my best for everyone that’s involved in the horse.

“Everything went to plan today and he won.”

A $160,000 Magic Millions purchase for Greg Hickman from the Kitchwin Hills draft, Pierata runs for a big syndicate of some 20 owners and has the imposing record of seven wins and seven placings from 19 starts with prizemoney in excess of $3.3 million.

Pierata was bred by Hobartville Stud and is a half-brother to Group III winning juvenile Ashokan. He is the fourth winner from Group III winning Flying Spur mare November Flight, who has a yearling colt by Rubick that made $900,000 at Inglis Easter and is back in foal to Pierata’s sire Pierro.

Pierro has shown himself to be a remarkable source of quality performers, not just classic horses like his Derby hero Levendi, Oaks queen Pinot and Kingston Town Classic winner Arcadia Queen, but also a genuinely top class sprinter miler like Pierata.

Pierata is the fourth Group I winner for Golden Slipper winner Pierro, who stands this spring at a fee of $88,000.