Magic Millions 3yo Guineas winner Pierata will be chasing a slot in the 2018 $13m The Everest (1200m) at Randwick on October 13 when he kicks off his Spring Carnival campaign in early August.
Pierata, above, will be chasing a slot in The Everest when he resumes in the Missile Stakes at Randwick. Photo by Steve Hart.
Pierata is scheduled to run in an 800m barrier trials at Warwick Farm on Friday before resuming in the Group 2 $200,000 Missile Stakes (1200m) at Randwick on August 4 before taking on Australia’s Queen Of The Turf Winx in the newly named and elevated Group 1 $500,000 Winx Stakes (1400m), formerly the Group 2 Warwick Stakes, at Randwick a fortnight later.
Trainer Greg Hickman is hoping Pierata can regain his winning three year old form and secure a slot in The Everest with some eye catching early Spring performances as a new season four year old.
“All the early signs are good,” Hickman racing.com.
“We’ve had a few (slot holders) knocking on the door but I’ve just got to make sure he’s right because I don’t want to be wasting their money.”
“He came back from his spell in good shape and he’ll run first-up in the Missile Stakes, which is only a month away.”
“It depends on what he does in the Missile, as to what we do with him.
“It was supposed to be the Missile and the Winx and then have a look at The Everest.
“I’m pretty happy with him but he doesn’t turn four until just before Christmas so he’s still only a baby.”
Pierata is the winner of four of his ten race starts with earnings of just over $2.2 million in prizemoney and completed his 2017 – 2018 Queensland Summer campaign with a comprehensive win in the $2m Magic Millions 3yo Guineas (1400m) at the Gold Coast in January.
The Pierro colt had two runs during the 2018 Sydney Autumn Carnival and was runner up twice to Kementari in the Group 2 $400,000 Hobartville Stakes (1400m) at Rosehill and in the Group 1 $1m Mostyn Copper Group Randwick Guineas (1600m) at Randwick.
Pierata is listed as a $61 chance for The Everest in All In betting at Ladbrokes.com.au who have last year’s winner Redzel and the multiple Group 1 winner Trapeze Artist as the joint $4.50 favourites.
Early betting for the 2018 The Everest at Ladbrokes.com.au: $4.50 Redzel, Trapeze Artist, $10 In Her Time, Nature Strip, Santa Ana Lane, Shoals, $16 English, Vega Magic, $18 Brave Smash, $26 Harry Angel, Kementari, Menari, Redkirk Warrior, Blue Point, $31 Equilateral, Happy Clapper, $34 Alizee, Chautauqua, Estijaab, Hot King Prawn, Le Romain, Viddora, Winx, $41 or better the rest.
The post Pierata to chase slot in The Everest via Winx Stakes appeared first on HorseRacing.com.au.