What an iron horse Pieris is shaping up to be. Since returning to racing at Flemington in July after starting in the Group III Maribyrnong Plate and Group III Blue Diamond Prelude, the son of Snitzel has made six starts, including four in August.
After breaking his maiden at Cranbourne on August 1, the Robbie Laing-trained colt finished last of six at Flemington, second of seven at Sandown and six of seven at Moonee Valley.
Pieris lined up for start eight at Sandown-Hillside on Wednesday and was rewarded with a maiden metropolitan success in the Ive > (Bm64) (1300m).
Given a ground-saving ride by Jamie Kah, Pieris toughed it out to deny the Alabama Express gelding Kalkallo a perfect two-for-two start to his career by three-quarters of a length with the Zousain gelding Viasain a short-half-head back in third.
"Robbie was very confident. He sent out a voicemail on Sunday saying he thought he could win," stable representative Damian Williams said.
"He has shown a lot of ability but has taken time to work out, but that was a good tough win.
Laing purchased Pieris for $250,000 from the Baramul Stud draft at the 2023 Magic Millions National Yearling Sale.
A half-brother to Group III-placed Fresh (Fastnet Rock), he is the seventh winner for the stakes-placed Savabeel mare Mother's Milk, whose multiple Group placed dam Baileys on Ice (O'Reilly) is a sister to Group 1 VRC Patinack Classic winner Swick.
Mother's Milk's Farnan filly fell short of her $65,000 reserve at the Magic Millions in January.
The daughter of Savabeel was covered by Bivouac last spring.
