$1.7 Million Payday for Pierro's Pierata

Mark Smith - Saturday January 13

Greg Hickman and Corey Brown combined for the biggest payday in Queensland racing history on Saturday when Pierata (Pierro-November Flight) justified his short quote to win the $2 million Gold Coast Magic Millions 3YO Guineas (1400m).

The three-year-old picked up $1.2 million for his devastating win on Saturday and an additional $500,000 bonus for claiming Racing Queensland's Summer Crown after feature wins at Doomben last month.

Advertisement

Saturday's Guineas victory came courtesy of a brilliant steer from Corey Brown who, after settling in a three back position on the fence, plotted an inside path to victory over the final furlong of the race. (photo Steve Hart). 


The colt, sent out a $2.80 favourite by punters, scored by nearly two lengths on the line from a gallant Goodfella (Snitzel-Movie), with Calculated (So You Think-Calchris) a further length away in third.

Hickman, who paid $160,000 for the son of Pierro at the 2016 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, was both delighted and relieved with the victory and predicted further improvement from Pierata over the coming 12 months.

"It's everything," the Warwick Farm horseman said.

"It's such an achievement to be able to do this, we've been up here for eight weeks and the horse hasn't put a foot wrong.

"Corey's got a big opinion of him, he's stuck with him for four runs and he's justified everyone's faith in him today.

"He'll improve again, next preparation you'll see a nicer horse again, that's the scary thing about it, he's just got so much improvement."

The win continued an incredible season for the reigning Melbourne Cup-winning jockey who said he was thrilled to claim a second Magic Millions Guineas, more than a decade after piloting Tippitaka to victory in 2005.

"He jumped really well and I could've box seated him but I think he's a better horse when you ride him a little bit quieter and his turn of foot is unbelievable," Brown said.

"The heavens opened upon straightening and it just allowed him the dream run through.

"I don't mind a bit of pressure, especially when you're riding good horses like this."

Magic Millions

Advertisment
More Reading...
Sale Cup Winner Adds to Fastnet Rock Super Weekend
It’s been quite the weekend for the late great champion sire Fastnet Rock with a Cox Plate quinella on Saturday and then on Sunday he produced a new stakes-winner when seven year-old gelding El Rocko captured the $200,000 Listed Sale Cup (1600m).
Hi Yo Sass Bomb Wins G3 on Sunday
Kim Reid bypassed a Group One in favour of Sunday’s Gr.3 Gee and Hickton Funeral Directors Thompson Handicap (1600m) at Trentham with Hi Yo Sass Bomb, a decision that paid dividends when the mare led from the outset to claim her third stakes success.
Sires With Winners - Saturday October 25
Here is the full list of 136 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Doubtland 2YO All On Red Smashes Them Again at Ascot
Widden Stud's Doubtland has a potential 2YO topliner in Perth in the shape of exciting WA colt All On Red, who remains undefeated from two starts after another comprehensive Ascot Saturday win.
Wootton Bassett Colt Leads Coolmore G1 Trifecta
The last British Group I race of the flat season was run overnight at Doncaster with Aidan O’Brien producing a trifecta of two year-old colts led by a son of the late Wootton Bassett (GB) in Hawk Mountain, who was too good for a pair of Frankel colts.
Yes Yes Yes 3YO Shooting for G2 on Monday
Last year’s Gr.2 James and Annie Sarten Memorial (1400m) set Savaglee up for Group One glory in Christchurch, and Matamata trainer Pam Gerard is hoping to follow a similar blueprint in 2025 with her Yes Yes Yes 3YO Affirmative Action..
Pedigree Watch - Powerhouse Godolphin 3YOs Dominate
The current crop of three year-olds running for Godolphin lay claim to being the best they have ever produced in Australia and three of those colts won Group races in Australia on Saturday so let’s take a look at those pedigrees.
Cream Rises at Trentham
A half-sister by Hello Youmzain (Fr) to dual Group I winner Mustang Valley, exciting filly Cream Tart is set to line up in one of the major three-year-old races over New Zealand Cup Week following her impressive win in Sunday’s Upper Hutt Car Sales LTD Three-Year-Old (1400m) at Trentham.
Undefeated 3YO King of Light Wins Listed Belgravia
Dan Morton's exciting three year old King Of Light (Earthlight) remains unbeaten in three starts, as the gelding graduated to stakes company with a scintillating first up victory in the Listed Belgravia Stakes on Cox Plate Day at Ascot.
Transatlantic Takes $1million Five Diamonds Prelude
Transatlantic’s lucrative spring carnival continued at Randwick with an arrogant victory in the $1m Five Diamonds Prelude.