Pierro 3YO Favourite for Derby

Golden Slipper winner Pierro has made a brilliant start to the new season with a broad spectrum of exciting winners including highly promising three year-old Shadow Hero (3g Pierro x Sookie, by Casino Prince) , who scored a resounding win in the Group III ATC Gloaming Stakes at Rosehill on Saturday.

Raised and sold by Newgate Farm, the Mark Newnham-trained gelding made a one act affair of the 1800 metre staying test, bolting clear to win by more than three lengths for Josh Parr.

A stakes winner last season at two and fourth in the Group I BRC JJ Atkins Stakes, Shadow Hero has class and staying ability and those two assets will take him a long way this season.

He is now favourite for both the Group I VRC Victoria Derby and the Group I ATC Spring Champion Stakes in two weeks time.

“That surprised me, the ease of it but I thought he was the best horse in the race,” Newnham said.

“That’s what I hoped he was, that’s what we thought he was and today he’s confirmed it.

“His demeanour will take him a long way. He’s so relaxed everywhere.

“I think Josh (Parr) was a little worried when he rode him work on Tuesday, he was a bit too relaxed for him.

“I said ‘don’t worry, we haven’t put the blinkers on him yet’. He’s a bit like (sire) Pierro in that sense, you put the blinkers on and he turns into a super hero.”

Purchased by Sweetbriar Equine for $260,000 out of the Newgate Farm draft at the 2018 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale, Shadow Hero was bred by Greg and Donna Kolivos, who raced his sire Pierro.

He has put together an impressive record with two wins and two placings from five starts with earnings in excess of $229,000.

He is the second foal and second winner out of Group III winner Sookie, a grand-daughter of Champion 2YO Filly Victory Vein by Casino Prince. Sookie has a yearling filly by Pierro to follow and was not covered last spring.