Deserved Pierro Winner at Trentham

Media Release - Sunday January 12

Underrated sprinter The Stoney One picked up a deserved victory when he burst through late in the piece to claim victory in the JR & N Berkett Handicap (1100m) at Trentham.

The Stoney One winning the JR & N Berkett Handicap (1100m) at Trentham on Saturday.   Photo: Peter Rubery (Race Images Palmerston North)

Although racing out of his class on a 73 rating against the open sprinters, the Guy Lowry and Leah Zydenbos-prepared six-year-old hasn’t always enjoyed the best of fortune in his career and carrying just 54kgs on his back along with in-form rider Craig Grylls, he looked to be a definite threat in the contest.

Grylls had the son of Pierro relaxed nicely at the rear of the compact nine-horse field, but well within striking range as Amend and Bold Belle set up a strong pace out in front.

Rounding the home bend Grylls was faced with a wall of horses in his face as the field fanned across the track and was in danger of not getting a crack at the leaders. Finding some clear air at the 200m The Stoney One burst through to collar race favourite Fancy Like Lass in the shadows of the post, registering victory by a long neck with Belle’s Echo dashing home late to claim third.

Zydenbos had a pre-race inkling that her charge could play a major role in the finish as his pull in the weights over some of the more fancied runners was a real advantage.

“Craig rode him perfectly, right in behind the pace where he is happy,” Zydenbos said.

“He was out of his grade but with the light weight I knew that might be the edge.

“We will keep finding nice races for him, but as he is just a little horse we wouldn’t like to break his heart, so we will just take it step by step.”

Advertisement

Grylls was pleased with how his mount travelled in the race and was mindful of the advice Zydenbos had given him before start time.

“He didn’t step away that great out of the gates but I still got a nice track into things,” he said.

“Leah did say to me he was best held up and having the last crack at them so it worked out perfect.

“I could see the runs were going to come at the 250m, so well done to the team.”

Raced by Peter Jeffares and Tony Rider, The Stoney One is out of the Charge Forward mare Western Gem who is a half-sister to Australian black type performers Western Empire, Western Jewel and Western Temple.

He was purchased under the Game Lodge banner for $45,000 out of the Book 1 Sale at Karaka in 2020 and has now won four of his 20 starts and over $155,000 in prizemoney. - LOVERACING.NZ News Desk

Advertisment

Race Result - JR & N Berkett Hcp 1100m

Trentham Track: Good(4) Time: 1:01.37
1
The Stoney One
- 6g Pierro (AUS) x Western Gem (AUS) (Charge Forward (AUS))
Tnr: Guy Lowry & Leah Zydenbos Rdr: C J Grylls 54
NZB Karaka Book 1 $45,000
Seller: Milan Park
Buyer: Game Lodge
Inglis Great Southern Sale - Weanlings $75,000
Seller: Tyreel Stud, Agnes Banks, NSW
Buyer: Paul Willetts Bloodstock Consultancy
2
0.2
Fancy Like Lass
- 5m Hellbent (AUS) x Mandalong Belle (AUS) (Choisir (AUS))
Tnr: S Thompson Brown & M Brown Rdr: K R Hercock 54
3
0.6
Belle's Echo
- 6m Echoes Of Heaven (AUS) x Woodbury Belle (NZ) (Woodbury Lad (USA))
Tnr: Ms L Latta Rdr: K A Myers 56
4
1.1
Silent Is Gold
- 6g Star Turn (AUS) x Confident (AUS) (Not A Single Doubt (AUS))
Tnr: Kevin & Stephen Gray Rdr: Toni Davies 57
5
1.3
Lincoln's Kruz
- 8g Kuroshio (AUS) x Myskina (AUS) (Xaar (GB))
Tnr: Ms L Latta Rdr: Harry Grace 55
6
2.1
Dragon Biscuit
- 6g Choisir (AUS) x Dawning Light (FR) (Siyouni (FR))
Tnr: Ms P Gerard Rdr: L J Allpress 54
7
2.8
Is That So
- 8g Sufficient (NZ) x Sheez Torkin (NZ) (Electronic Zone (USA))
Tnr: C R Isdale Rdr: L Currie 57
8
3.3
Amend
- 5g Wrote (IRE) x Tansava (NZ) (Savabeel (AUS))
Tnr: Ms I Kelly Rdr: S C Spratt 57
9
3.6
Bold Belle
- 6m The Bold One (NZ) x Gossiping (NZ) (Al Akbar (AUS))
Tnr: B E Newman Rdr: M Hashizume 56.5
More Reading...
Cambridge Stud to Sell Entire Draft at Karaka 2026
Leading thoroughbred nursery Cambridge Stud have committed their full support for NZB’s 2026 National Yearling Sales Series, with the announcement they will be selling 100% of their yearling stock at Karaka. 
Juvenile Trial Watch – Randwick
Trial action was at Randwick on Friday and there were six heats for juveniles that included some interesting unraced youngsters highlighted by the full brother to a promising young sire, a well bred son of Farnan and an Extreme Choice filly.
Sires With Winners - Friday June 27
Here is the full list of 48 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Red Right Out Wins MM Queensland Qualifier
The 2026 Pacific Fair Magic Millions Polo & Showjumping will feature the third annual Queensland Off-The-Track Cup (QOTT) final on Sunday, 11 January 2026 at Doug Jennings Park on the Gold Coast. 
Promising 2YOs for Pike
Tony Pike found it difficult to split his juvenile charges the last time they took each other on and it’s the same story at Ruakaka.
Vinery Stud Announce Adam White as Interim Manager
From the 1st of July, Vinery Stud is pleased to announce the appointment of Adam White as Interim General Manager, following the resignation of Peter Orton. A dedicated and long-standing member of the Vinery team, Adam brings a wealth of experience and an in-depth understanding of both the business and the industry to this pivotal role.
Breeding To Win – 2025 G1 Tatts Tiara
With Royal Ascot done and dusted for another year, let's turn our attention to the final G1 of the Australian racing season as some very expensive mares seek to land that elusive G1 and three runners will carry the Yulong colours!
National Online Breeding Stock Sale online now
The National Online Breeding Stock Sale has launched on Gavelhouse Plus with bidding open on the 87 Lots sale which is set to end from 7pm on Wednesday 9th July.
$190,000 Per Incanto Colt Heads Vibrant Weanling Sale
The  2025 National Weanling Sale saw its first dual-code weanling session in play at Karaka, with a total aggregate of $2,410,000 outlaid across 84 lots by a strong domestic buying bench plus international support from Australia, Hong Kong and China.
First Winner for Australian Derby Winner Levendi
Blueblood Pierro colt Levendi won the Group I ATC Australian Derby for the Gelagotis stable back in 2018 and is now on the board as a sire having produced his first winner on Friday.