Gai Waterhouse always knew Pierro was a special colt. She predicted the Lonhro youngster was her Golden Slipper winner back in October and he duly delivered on that promise six months later at Rosehill.
Pierro (2c Lonhro – Miss Right Note by Daylami) gave the beaten division no excuses when he ran down brave filly Snitzerland (Snitzel) to win the $3.50 million Golden Slipper by a long neck. Race favourite Samaready (More Than Ready) ran on gamely to finish third in front of long-shot Queensland filly Doubtfilly (Not A Single Doubt).
Aided by a perfect ride from Nash Rawiller, Pierro gave his sire Lonhro another major honour less than a year after his inaugural Australian sires’ premiership.
“In the heat of the moment you say things you probably shouldn’t,” Waterhouse admitted while recollecting her huge call after the Breeders’ Plate. “But the improvement he made when I added blinkers for his debut was amazing.”
Waterhouse was in her usual ebullient mood back on October 1 when quoted by AAP journalist Mathew Toogood after Pierro won the LR Breeders’ Plate at Randwick. “I will turn him out now and look out for the autumn,” she said. “You just watch when he comes back – this is the Golden Slipper winner!”
A Darley bred colt, Pierro was originally purchased as a foal by Victorian based breeder David Kobritz for $115,000 at the 2010 Magic Millions National weanling sale. He re-offered the colt at the 2011 Gold Coast Magic Millions yearling sale when Waterhouse bought him on behalf of Greg and Donna Kolivos for $230,000.
“Pierro was a standout on my rounds before the sales,” Waterhouse recalled. “He’s such a strong, masculine and tough looking colt.”
Pierro follows the Waterhouse trained Sebring who completed the Breeders Plate – Golden Slipper double four years ago. He is from a half sister to Octagonal’s top-class stayer Laverock who was a G1 winner at Longchamp and Milan.
Waterhouse indicated Pierro will press on to the Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) and Champagne Stakes (1600m) at Randwick later this month. Her top-class colt Dance Hero completed the Triple Crown in 2004.
