Pierro Highlights Magic Weekend Of Racing


Pierro led a successful weekend for Magic Millions graduates when he scored a brilliant win in Saturday’s Group One George Ryder Stakes at Rosehill.

On the first anniversary of his famous Golden Slipper victory, Pierro again let his class do the talking as he reeled in 10 time Group One winner King Mufhasa to win well.

Trainer Gai Waterhouse admitted to being covered in goosebumps during a race where the colt received no favours but still proved the best.

In winning Pierro sent his career earnings soaring past $4 million with win number 11 from start 13.

The win was fifth at Group One level for the Lonhro colt who was sold twice by Magic Millions before joining his current Randwick stable.

Bred by Darley, Pierro (Lonhro-Miss Right Note) was originally pin-hooked by Victorian based breeder David Kobritz for $115,000 at the 2011 National Weanling Sale at the Gold Coast.

He was then prepared and presented by Kobritz’s Musk Creek Farm team at the 2012 Gold Coast Yearling Sale where he was purchased by Waterhouse for $230,000.

The colt, described as “sexy” by his trainer, is raced by Sydney based Greg and Donna Kolivos and he’s now headed to the Group One Doncaster Mile at Randwick.

Outstanding filly Moreish (More Than Ready-Pink City) will head to the WA Derby after a brilliant win in Saturday’s Group Three Western Australian Oaks.

Trainer Sharon Miller said provided the daughter of More Than Ready pulled up well the Derby would certainly be on the agenda.

The Oaks win was the third straight at stakes level for the exciting staying prospect.

Moreish, now the winner of over $278,000, is the only runner to date for the unraced Danehill mare Pink City – a daughter of the Edward Manifold and Wakeful Stakes winner My Sienna.

Bred by Gerry Harvey, Moreish was purchased by owner Matthew Reilly for $35,000 at the 2011 Adelaide Yearling Sale from the Baramul Stud draft.

Excites Zelady (Excites-Zelady) provided his trainer Chris Bieg with his biggest win when he led home a Magic Millions trifecta in the Group Three Breeders Stakes at Morphettville on Saturday.

A $27,000 purchase from the Ampulla Lodge draft at last year’s Adelaide Yearling Sale, Excites Zelady caused somewhat of a boilver when successful at $31.

The gelding has shown promise right from day one and late last year was a city winner on debut.

He is one of five winners, from as many runners, for the seven time winning Zeditave mare Zelady. Her latest yearling, a filly by I Am Invincible, was purchased by Bieg’s good friend, Adelaide based trainer Sam Kavanagh for $80,000 at January’s Gold Coast Yearling Sale.

The Australian based stakes wins followed a great run of success achieved by Magic Millions sold Australian bred performers abroad over the past 10 days.

In South Africa on Saturday night at Turffontein the beautifully bred Wylie Hall (Redoute’s Choice-Beauty Belle) won the listed Nijinsky Derby Trial  (2000m).

A $205,000 purchase by Andy Williams’ World Wide Bloodstock outfit from the Newhaven Park draft at the 2011 Gold Coast Yearling Sale, Wylie Hall is a half brother to Hong Kong superstar Absolute Champion.

On Friday night in Singapore the Group Three Kranji Sprint saw an outstanding all the way win for El Milagro (Red Dazzler-Vinzky).

A $100,000 purchase by former trainer Don Baertschiger at the 2010 National Horses in Training Sale, El Milagro is now trained by his son Shane and was his first stakes winner as a trainer.

El Milagro, a graduate of Symphony Lodge, is the sole runner to date for Awesome Bro’s Stravinsky half sister Vinzky.

Also at Kranji on Friday night the latest leg of the Aushorse Golden Horseshoe series was captured by Silver Dollar (Dash for Cash-Octad).

The Chua trained youngster was purchased for $40,000 from the Nolen Racing draft at last October’s National Horses in Training Sale at the Gold Coast.

He is the second named foal and winner for the Octagonal mare Octad – a winner of 1200 metres before retiring to stud.

In Malaysia last weekend the Selangor Gold Cup was captured by the proven big race winner Good Baby (Hussonet-Secret Haze).

A $110,000 National Weanling Sale purchase for Blue Sky Thoroughbreds, Good Baby is the winner of nine of his 23 starts and earnings of over R1.5 million (approx A$477,000).