Gai declares Pierro ripe for return

Perth Turf Talk | Australian Racing | Thu 30 August, 2012

Gai Waterhouse won't hear of Golden Slipper winner Pierro being beaten when he makes his three-year-old debut at Rosehill on Saturday.
Waterhouse took her time before deciding on a comeback race for the star colt who will make his highly-anticipated return in the Group Three Run To The Rose (1200m).
The trainer doesn't believe the unbeaten son of Lonhro is vulnerable first-up carrying 60 kilograms, declaring him "spot-on" for the assignment.

"I don't think he is (vulnerable)," Waterhouse said.
"I think he's an exceptional horse and he is only against his own age and he's beaten them all before.
"He deserves the weight. He probably deserves more weight but that's what he's got.

"It's first-up and there's always a slight chance (they're vulnerable) but he's a very happy horse going into it and he's an exceptionally competitive animal."
Pierro's resumption marks a return clash with Black Caviar's half-brother All Too Hard, who Pierro beat in the Sires' Produce Stakes at their only other encounter.
The Sires' Produce was the middle leg of Pierro's triple crown haul which also took in the Golden Slipper and Champagne Stakes.
All Too Hard has 59kg and will take a race fitness edge into Saturday after his first-up third in the San Domenico Stakes.

The Run To The Rose has only attracted a final field of six but there is no shortage of quality.
Epaulette, who ran Pierro to a short half-head in the Todman Stakes, Skyline Stakes winner Ashokan and the Anthony Cummings-trained pair of Your Song and Ninth Legion round out the field.

Pierro has had two exhibition gallops in the past two weeks to prepare for his return but in a rarity for a Waterhouse-trained runner, he has not been given an official barrier trial.
Waterhouse said she settled on the Run To The Rose for Pierro's return as the colt had showed signs he was ready to race.

"He had to tell me when he was ready and in this last few days he's told me exactly that," Waterhouse said.

Pierro, whose main spring missions are the Caulfield Guineas and Cox Plate, has been installed the $2.20 favourite with TAB Sportsbet for Saturday with All Too Hard at $2.50.
Epaulette is on the third line at $7.50.
All Too Hard will wear winkers in the Run To The Rose, as will Epaulette.

AAP

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