Pierro Stayer Wins Listed JRA Trophy

Tara Madgwick - Saturday December 17

It’s been a long time between drinks for quality Pierro stayer Persan, who was back in the winner’s circle at Flemington on Saturday when taking out the $175,000 Listed VRC JRA Trophy (2600m).

Persan scores a deserved win in the JRA Trophy - image Grant Courtney

Trained by the powerful Maher Eustace team, Persan had now won a race since March 2021, but he’s been very competitive in elite staying events since then, placing in several Group races including a memorable third to Incentivise in the 2021 Group I Caulfield Cup after running fifth in the Melbourne Cup in 2020.

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Carrying topweight of 60kg, he showed his class under Harry Coffey to win by nearly two lengths taking his overall record to eight wins and 11 placings from 36 starts with prizemoney of $.7million.

"That was fantastic," David Eustace said.

"He's been a stalwart for the stable for a really long time. He's run in some top races and in the (Melbourne) Cup, so to get him back is such a great thrill for everyone. 

"Harry gave him an absolute pearler. He rode him very similar at Caulfield last time. He got it slightly more even today and the horse was great." 

The Listed Bagot Handicap (2800m) at Flemington on New Year's Day is a likely next target for Persan.

"He's an older horse, in form and he's not going to want a long break," Eustace said. 

"He's enjoying a change of scenery at Cranbourne, so we'll have a chat to connections to see what they want to do." 

Persan has won over $1.7million 0 image Grant Courtney

A $160,000 Magic Millions National Weanling Sale purchase from the Holbrook Thoroughbreds draft for James Bester Bloodstock, Persan was passed in when re-offered as a yearling and runs for owners that include the astute bloodstock agent as well as Kia Ora Stud and Rob McLure of Morning Rise Stud in whose colours he runs.

Bred by David Bentata, Persan is the best of six winners from Group I winner Ofcourseican, a half-sister by Mossman to South African Group I winner and sire Gimmethegreenlight.

Persan is the fourth stakes-winner this season for Pierro, who has 20 entries for Magic Millions.

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Race Result - Jra Trophy LR 2600m

Flemington Track: Good(3) Time: 2:43.02
1
Persan
- 6g Pierro (AUS) x Ofcourseican (AUS) (Mossman (AUS))
Tnr: C Maher & D Eustace Rdr: H Coffey 60
Pierro
2
1.8
Nobel Heights
- 5h Fiorente (IRE) x Free Friday (AUS) (Helissio (FR))
Tnr: Matthew Cumani Rdr: Declan Bates 54
Fiorente
3
9.8
Never Again
- 8g High Chaparral (IRE) x Rollon Rose (AUS) (Encosta De Lago (AUS))
Tnr: Reece Goodwin Rdr: Damien Thornton 54
4
10.0
Creative Hero
- 7g More Than Ready (USA) x Imaginative (AUS) (Bianconi (USA))
Tnr: Ms J Richards Rdr: D Yendall 54
5
10.4
Winifer
- 7m Blackfriars (AUS) x Sister Patricia (AUS) (Geiger Counter (USA))
Tnr: Nick Ryan Rdr: B Mc Dougall 54
6
14.2
Cormorant
- 6g Kingman (GB) x Shemya (FR) (Dansili (GB))
Tnr: Maddie Raymond Rdr: Craig Williams 54
7
14.3
Miss Five Hundred
- 7m Dundeel (NZ) x Cinque Cento (AUS) (Nothin' Leica Dane (AUS))
Tnr: Peter Gelagotis Rdr: Teodore Nugent 54
8
19.3
Adelaide Ace
- 6g Savabeel (AUS) x Ampin (NZ) (Pins (AUS))
Tnr: Shane Jackson Rdr: C Newitt 54
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