Proisir 3YO Wins G2 Hawkes Bay Guineas

Media Release - Saturday October 8

Local runner Pier dominated his three-year-old rivals in the closing stages of the AHD Hawke’s Bay Guineas (1400m), dashing away to win the Group Two feature in fine style.

With the race transferred to Saturday’s Matamata meeting after Hastings was abandoned due to inclement weather last weekend, the strapping son of Proisir was in his element on his home surface for trainers Darryn and Briar Weatherley.

Pier claims a comprehensive victory in the Gr.2 AHD Hawke’s Bay Guineas (1400m) Photo credit: Trish Dunell

A last start second to race favourite Dynastic on the first day of the Hastings Spring Carnival saw Pier ($6.70) well-supported in the market for the Group Two feature and he didn’t let anyone down, courtesy of a picture-perfect ride by Michael McNab.

McNab bounced his charge away nicely from the barriers and settled in the trail as Mr Mojo Risin’ set up a steady pace in front, flanked by Dynastic who went forward from an outside (9) gate.

Approaching the home bend McNab pushed his way clear underneath Dynastic, who was struggling and set out after Mr Mojo Risin’ who led up into the run home.

Pier lengthened stride impressively to draw away in the closing stages and defeat Mr Mojo Risin’ by just on two lengths with another Matamata local in Channel Surfer closing off nicely to run third.

“It was pretty stressful but good to have the family around for this one,” an emotional Darryn Weatherley said.

“I actually ran second in this race a couple of times when I was riding, so it is a nice one to tick off.

“It is a time-honoured race and one that I am proud to say I’ve trained the winner.

“I left it up to Michael and told him to see how he began and how he was travelling and he gave him a ten out of ten ride.

“On the better track today, he had a great sprint and finished well, so I’m very happy and it looks good for Christchurch.”

Advertisement

Weatherley was alluding to the Gr.1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) at Riccarton on November 5 where TAB Bookmakers now have Pier as the equal $5 favourite with the Mark Walker-trained Cognito.

“It was good to come here today as we live just 600m away from the track and he will be home soon without a five-hour float trip to contend with,” he said.

“We will take a look at him and see how he comes through this before we make any firm plans for Riccarton.

“There is the Sarten Memorial (Gr.2, 1400m) at Te Rapa on Labour Weekend, but it is a big trip to go to Riccarton so we might flag Te Rapa and go straight to Riccarton.”

McNab was full of praise for his mount who found plenty when asked to produce in the run home.

“It ended up working out well as we got the trail, although he felt under a little pressure turning in,” McNab said.

“I took the opportunity to get clear running and when I let him go, he was very quick off the mark.

“They did say he would look a lot better on a good track and he won really well, just a lovely horse.”

Pier was bred by Weatherley and his wife Lou along with close friend Barry Wright, who share in the ownership alongside well-known Australian racing identity Ozzie Keir, who purchased a twenty five percent share in the horse before he ran second at Hastings in the Listed El Roca-Sir Colin Meads Trophy (1200m).

He is out of Darci Brahma mare La Vitesse, a daughter of multiple stakes winner Naturo who was injured and retired when finishing close up in fifth in the Gr.1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m). – NZ Racing Desk

Advertisment
More Reading...
Melbourne Cup Dreaming for Kiwi Stayer
Peter and Shaun McKay are dreaming of a Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) tilt with their quality stayer Wolfgang, and he will start his journey towards the iconic feature at Wanganui on Saturday.
Sires With Winners - Wednesday August 27
Here is the full list of 42 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Breeding to Win - 2025 G1 Memsie Stakes
The big guns step out and spring is on in earnest when the Memsie (1400m WFA) rolls around and what a cracking field we have in 2025 for the first G1 of the Southern spring with 11 runners and 10 are G1 winners!
Spring Trial Watch – Everest Contenders on Show
The Rosehill trials on Thursday morning featured a couple of key Everest contenders with Private Harry winning easily over speedy 3YO North England, while Lady Shenandoah was under a tight grip to finish third in a later heat.
Sir Stanley Goosman’s Impact on the National Yearling Sale
Karaka 2026 will mark the 100th National Yearling Sale in New Zealand, and a prominent buyer during the history of the Sale was Stanley Goosman (later Sir Stanley).  He was a key player at the Sale during the World War II era, and headed the list of winning owners in New Zealand on 10 occasions.
Up and Coming Well Named - So Who Are These Guys?
The $250,000 Group III ATC Up and Coming Stakes (1300m) at Rosehill on Saturday is a race well named with a field of eight colts and geldings set to line up and while none are stakes-winners yet, one of them will be after the weekend.
Damask Rose Looking to Kickstart Te Akau Melbourne Spring
Te Akau Racing are building a strong record in the Gr.3 Cockram Stakes (1200m), and they will look to continue that at Caulfield on Saturday when Damask Rose takes her place in this year’s edition.
Promising Winner and a Star on the Rise
One of the bargain priced sires on the Newgate Farm roster, Cosmic Force has never lacked for company covering 100 plus books of mares in each of his five seasons at stud so far totalling nearly 700 mares.
Sires With Winners - Thursday August 28
Here is the full list of 33 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Hello Youmzain Filly Chasing More Stakes Success
Hello Youmzain (Fr) filly Platinum Diamond will put her undefeated Heavy track record on the line when she heads to Wanganui on Saturday to contest the Listed HS Dyke Wanganui Guineas (1200m).