Pierro Filly Wins $1million G2 Percy Sykes Stakes
Peter and Paul Snowden hatched a long term plan to win the $1million Group II ATC Percy Sykes Stakes (1200m) at Randwick on Saturday with talented filly Paris Dior (2f Pierro x Entrancing, by Exceed and Excel) and it came to fruition under a well-timed ride from James McDonald.
A dominant maiden winner at Canterbury back in January, Paris Dior was then second in the $2million Inglis Millennium before being eased with the Percy Sykes in mind.
She looked big and strong in two recent barrier trials wins, the most recent only last Monday and went into this assignment cherry ripe.
Paris Dior took an inside run on straightening for home and was too tough for promising runner-up Willinga Beast winning by a head with nearly four lengths back to the third horse.
“She’s a beautiful big filly, this was her acid test and she’s come through it with flying colours,” said James McDonald.
Paris Dior has the overall record of two wins and two placings from four starts with earnings topping $1.1million.
“She’s a Group II winner now which takes a bit of pressure off, so now we can sit down and work out what to do with her in the spring,” said Peter Snowden.
Paris Dior was retained to race after passing in shy of her $300,000 reserve when offered by Marquee Stud at Inglis Easter last year and is the first foal from metro winning Exceed and Excel mare Entrancing, a half-sister to Group II placed Miss West Coast.
Entrancing is a grand-daughter of former brilliant stakes-winning sprinter Nanny Maroon, the dam of brilliant fast Group II winning mare De Lightning Ridge, so there are a few super-fast females in this family.
Marquee Stud sold the full sister to Paris Dior at Inglis Classic this year for $330,000 to Trilogy Racing / CB Bloodstock.
Paris Dior is the 28th stakes-winner for Golden Slipper winning sire Pierro and is his second stakes-winner from a daughter of Exceed and Excel. The nick has produced 10 winners from 15 runners that include five stakes horses.