Australian bred Pierro mare Uncorked started her career in the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott stable winning a maiden at Sale in August 2022, but is now training in the US where she won the Group III Royal Heroine Stakes (1m) on turf at Santa Anita on Saturday.
Trained by Phillip D’Amato and ridden by Frankie Dettori, Uncorked produced a strong finish along the inside fence, powering to the line to win by a length and a half over Justify mare Justique.
Stakes-placed once previously, the victory took her overall record to four wins and six placings from 17 starts with prizemoney topping $230,000.
“Phil said, ‘She jumps quick so make sure you get cover and get her to relax’ and she did,” said Dettori.
“The field opened up like the Red Sea and I got the inside fence, and she just took off.”
D'Amato's assistant trainer Julie Witt was well pleased with the win.
“When Frankie asked her, she responded. She is an Australian bred and they are known for their sprinter-milers down there and they have a heck of a turn of foot. She is really enjoying California and credit to the owners for sending her out here to us and coming up with this idea of giving us a high-quality filly,” she said.
Uncorked was originally a $130,000 Magic Millions purchase from the Willow Park Stud draft for Gai Waterhouse/Adrian Bott/Kestrel Thoroughbreds and now runs for The Elkstone Group.
Bred by Alan Galbraith and foaled and raised at Willow Park, Uncorked is the best of four winners from Piaf (NZ), a winning half-sister by Iffraaj to the dams of Champion 3YO Xtravagant and Group winners He’s Remarkable and Flying Mascot.
Uncorked is the 37th stakes-winner for Pierro and is his first in North America.
