Patience Paying Off with Pierro Gelding

Media Release - Thursday January 4

God Of Eros was never intended to be a long-term member of Shane Crawford’s stable, but the Cambridge horseman isn’t dwelling on the unexpected outcome.

Originally purchased as a trade horse, he will attempt to complete consecutive wins when he runs in Friday’s Trigg Construction Northland Cup (2200m) at Ruakaka on Friday.  

God Of Eros will contest the Trigg Construction Northland Cup (2200m) at Ruakaka on Friday. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images

“He’s a typical Pierro and they take little bit of extra time and if you give them that you get rewarded,” Crawford said.

“He’s lightly raced, he’s only had nine starts, and I’ve been dying to get him up to 2200m and beyond.

“I was tempted to put in a late nomination for the Auckland Cup (Gr.2, 3200m), but bypassed that and might look at it next year if he shows form over the staying trips.”

God Of Eros was originally secured for A$140,000 by Crawford’s Regal Farm, McKeever Bloodstock and Tenglong at the 2020 Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale with the aim of re-offering him at auction in Australia. He was also entered in the New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sale.

“He had a bit of an issue and that’s why we couldn’t sell him, hence we’re racing him,” Crawford said.

“He was meant to go to Sydney for the Ready to Race two-year-old sale, but he had lesions on his scope. We had to treat that, but it didn’t clear up in time.

“His function is fine and he breathes well, it was more of a cosmetic thing and it prevented us from selling him.

“He won his first trial but we couldn’t get any bites so we got stuck with him, but it’s not the worst thing.”

God Of Eros has subsequently been handled patiently and he broke his maiden at Ruakaka earlier this year and doubled his tally when he posted an upset resuming victory over 1600m at Tauranga last month.

Advertisement

“I had him pretty well-tuned up for that and it didn’t surprise me at all,” Crawford said.

“I think he is a better horse on the fresh side and everything went to plan that day and he’s ready to crack on.

“I’m really happy with him and he’s the sort of horse that appreciates his races spaced.

“We’ll take it one race at a time with him and we won’t plan too far ahead. He definitely likes the better tracks and while they are around, we will keep going.”

Crawford also has the promising son Wallen in his stable and the son of Tarzino has a win and four placings from his six appearances, a record that would read better had luck been more on the four-year-old’s side.

Wallen made late ground from the back to finish a last-start fifth at Pukekohe on New Year’s Day.

“He went awesome, but the track tripped him up a bit and he was only a length off the winner,” Crawford said.

“We were hoping to head to Wellington for the Remutaka Classic ($350,000, 2100m), but I don’t think he will get in with his rating and that’s a real shame.

“We’ll see what we do now, we might freshen him up and look at the Auckland Cup meeting.” – LOVERACING.NZ News Desk

Advertisment
More Reading...
Growing Empire Retires to Yulong and Fee Set
One of the most exciting colts of his generation, Growing Empire, will join Yulong Stud’s stallion roster for the 2025 breeding season.
New HK Stakes-Winner Shamus Award
John Size and Zac Purton combined to win the Group III The Queen Mother Memorial Cup (2400m) at Sha Tin on Sunday with up and coming stayer Bundle Award.
Cambridge Stud Welcome Hello Youmzain First NZ bred SW
Lucy In The Sky delivered a memorable result on multiple fronts with her historic success at Riccarton.
Sires With Winners - Sunday May 4
Here is the full list of 51 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Windsor Park Delighted with First SW Circus Maximus
Promising youngster Towering Vision crowned a successful couple of days for Windsor Park Stud when he credited resident sire Circus Maximus with his first Southern Hemisphere black-type winner.
Godolphin Again - Unbeaten Desert Flower Wins Newmarket 1000 Guineas
The stars continue to align for Sheikh Mohammed with the Godolphin blue again in the winner’s circle in the UK overnight with undefeated filly Desert Flower taking out the Group I Newmarket 1000 Guineas (1m).
Magic Millions Off-The-Track Cup Prizemoney Increases to $100,000
Magic Millions co-owner, Katie Page-Harvey and Queensland Off-The-Track Chair, Dr Christine Johnson today confirmed the prizemoney pool for the 2026 QOTT Cup will increase to $100,000.
$650,000 Stay Inside Filly Sets Inglis Weanling Sale Alight
The first session of the Inglis Australian Weanling Sale on Monday produced a new overall record price for this sale when a filly by Golden Slipper winner Stay Inside sold for $650,000.
Juvenile Trial Watch – Randwick
A busy set of trials at Randwick this morning saw Group I winning stallion Schwarz win a heat in good style in preparation for a Queensland trip, while on the juvenile front there were also a couple of carnival aspirants.
Campionessa Retired - How Much for the G1 Winning Mare?
Group One-winning mare Campionessa has been retired from racing and will be offered at Magic Millions’ Gold Coast National Broodmare Sale later this month.