Pierro Filly Wins $1million G2 Percy Sykes Stakes

Tara Madgwick - Saturday April 9

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 Pierro filly Paris Dior and it came to fruition under a well-timed ride from James McDonald.

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Paris Dior edges out Willinga Beast to win G2 Percy Sykes - image Steve Hart

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.

Valuable win for Paris Dior in the Percy Sykes - image Steve Hart
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.

Entrancing has a colt to follow by Lonhro and was covered last spring by Graff.

Pierro

Paris Dior is the 28th stakes-winner for Coolmore’s 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.



 

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Race Result - Furphy Percy Sykes Stakes Gr2 1200m

Randwick Track: Heavy(10) Time: 1:14.44
1
Paris Dior
- 2f Pierro (AUS) x Entrancing (AUS) (Exceed And Excel (AUS))
Tnr: P & P Snowden Rdr: J B Mc Donald 54.5
Pierro
2
0.2
Willinga Beast
- 2f Snitzel (AUS) x Time Check (USA) (Shamardal (USA))
Tnr: K A Lees Rdr: B Avdulla 54
3
4.0
Lady Laguna
- 2f Overshare (AUS) x Catalina De Lago (NZ) (Encosta De Lago (AUS))
Tnr: Annabel Neasham Rdr: Tommy Berry 54
4
4.1
Pantonario
- 2f Not A Single Doubt (AUS) x Rhodamine (AUS) (Success Express (USA))
Tnr: G Waterhouse & A Bott Rdr: Craig Williams 54
5
5.5
North Star Lass
- 2f Zoustar (AUS) x Sheila's Star (AUS) (Snitzel (AUS))
Tnr: G Waterhouse & A Bott Rdr: Tim Clark 54
6
5.9
Kin
- 2f Impending (AUS) x Kinshachi (AUS) (Commands (AUS))
Tnr: James Cummings Rdr: C Schofield 54
7
6.0
Magic Carpet
- 2f Lonhro (AUS) x Aspen (AUS) (Exceed And Excel (AUS))
Tnr: James Cummings Rdr: Rachel King 54
8
6.4
Dashing Legend
- 2f Snitzel (AUS) x Kneeling (AUS) (Encosta De Lago (AUS))
Tnr: M, W & J Hawkes Rdr: W Pike 54
9
7.6
Ojai
- 2f Exceed And Excel (AUS) x Matilija (AUS) (Medaglia D'Oro (USA))
Tnr: James Cummings Rdr: Jamie Kah 54
10
8.7
Sheeza Belter
- 2f Gold Standard (AUS) x Saxabelle (AUS) (Saxon (AUS))
Tnr: P & P Snowden Rdr: K Mc Evoy 55
11
9.3
Swift Sweet
- 2f Snitzel (AUS) x She's A Sweetheart (AUS) (Show A Heart (AUS))
Tnr: Mark Newnham Rdr: S Clipperton 54
12
9.7
Lady Percival's
- 2f Zoustar (AUS) x Lanzini (AUS) (More Than Ready (USA))
Tnr: Richard & Will Freedman Rdr: Regan Bayliss 54
13
19.9
Gendarmerie
- 2f Epaulette (AUS) x Epsilon (AUS) (Sequalo (AUS))
Tnr: Lee & Cherie Curtis Rdr: J Ford 54
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