Kiwi Bred Pier Earns Stradbroke Consolation Stakes Victory

Media Release - Saturday June 14

A runaway victory in Saturday’s A$160,000 Listed The Wayne Wilson (1600m) at Eagle Farm was a proud moment for Pier’s connections, but they could also be forgiven for wondering what might have been in the Gr.1 Stradbroke Handicap (1400m).

A G1 winner at three, Pier wins the Listed Wayne Wilson - image Grant Courtney

Pier ventured across the Tasman as the winner of four races in New Zealand, headed by the Gr.1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) in 2022. The son of Proisir has found a promising vein of form in his latest preparation, producing powerful finishes for placings in the Listed City Of Napier Sprint (1200m) at Trentham and the Gr.3 BRC Sprint (1350m) at Doomben.

But he had earned insufficient prizemoney for a place in the Stradbroke Handicap field, sitting on the ballot as the fourth emergency and getting only two of the four scratchings he needed to make the field.

The Wayne Wilson on Saturday’s Stradbroke handicap was the consolation prize, and Pier grabbed it in emphatic style.

Ridden by Ethan Brown, the five-year-old settled in third place before cruising up alongside the front-running Attractable just before the home turn.

Pier dashed past that rival at the top of the straight and burst clear, going on to win by three lengths from Sibaaq.

“He’s a horse with great stamina,” Brown said. “Third-up here today, he broke well, so I was happy to use his action and his fitness.

“He’s proven at the mile and was always going to run it out strongly today. I used that to my advantage and he was strong all the way through the line. He’s a very nice horse.

“I’m sure he can measure up here in Australia and he has proven himself today. I think he’s up to it.

Advertisement

“He drew a lot more favourably today. Last start he ran a blinder – got too much out of his ground from a wide gate, but ran home well.”

Pier has now had 13 starts for five wins, four placings and A$579,870 in stakes. He is trained at Matamata by Darryn Weatherley and his daughter, Briar. Darryn Weatherley and his wife Lou, also co-bred and part-own the gelding, who is a half-brother to their multiple stakes-winning sprinter Maria Farina.

“This is super,” Darryn Weatherley said. “We have been here a month now. We bred this horse. I’ll give a special mention to my wife at home, who’s had a bit of a health scare.

“This horse has achieved what I expected he would. I truly believe he would have been a force to be reckoned with in the Straddie, but maybe next year.

“He drew 16 from 16 at Doomben and he was second-to-last on the turn. His sectionals were huge. Ethan rode him beautifully the other day and he’s backed it up again today.”

Weatherley is now keen to chase Group One spoils on home soil in the early stages of the new season.

“I would like to spell him here for a month, then have a crack at the first Group One in New Zealand, and then hopefully head to Melbourne later in the spring.” – NZ Racing Desk.

Advertisment

Race Result - Seven The Wayne Wilson LR 1600m

Eagle Farm Track: Good(4) Time: 1:33.82
1
Pier
- 5g Proisir (AUS) x La Vitesse (NZ) (Darci Brahma (NZ))
Tnr: Darryn & Briar Weatherley Rdr: Ethan Brown 59
2
2.9
Sibaaq
- 7g Dark Angel (IRE) x Maid To Dream (GB) (Oasis Dream (GB))
Tnr: Annabel & Rob Archibald Rdr: Craig Williams 59
3
6.2
Tenzing
- 6g Contributer (IRE) x Mizen Peak (AUS) (Fastnet Rock (AUS))
Tnr: T J Gollan Rdr: A Mallyon 59
Inglis Ready2Race Sale $65,000
Seller: Kiltannon Stables, Cambridge, NZ
Buyer: Joseph & Jones Racing
4
6.8
Waterford
- 6g Awtaad (IRE) x Wake Up (GER) (Soldier Of Fortune (IRE))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: A B Collett 59
5
7.6
Cranky Harry
- 5g Spill The Beans (AUS) x Here's To Ya (AUS) (Denmarket (AUS))
Tnr: M J Dunn Rdr: Jake Bayliss 59
6
8
Red Wave
- 6g Red Dazzler (AUS) x Sandy Shore (AUS) (Sandpit (BRZ))
Tnr: Tony & Maddysen Sears Rdr: Angela Jones 59
7
8.3
Demon Darb
- 5g Pierro (AUS) x Red Is The Rose (AUS) (Fastnet Rock (AUS))
Tnr: R L Heathcote Rdr: Tommy Berry 59
8
8.4
Unspoken
- 6g Territories (IRE) x Silent Secret (IRE) (Dubai Destination (USA))
Tnr: Peter Snowden Rdr: Tom Sherry 59
9
13
Attractable
- 6g I Am Invincible (AUS) x Affable (AUS) (Husson (ARG))
Tnr: Sara Ryan Rdr: Reece Jones 59
10
31.2
Without Revenge
- 7g Muhaarar (GB) x La Dorotea (IRE) (Lope De Vega (IRE))
Tnr: Corey & Kylie Geran Rdr: C Schofield 59
More Reading...
Sires With Winners - Tuesday September 30
Here is the full list of 27 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
She's Unusual Keeps Good Times Rolling
Continued success with resident stallion Unusual Suspect and their racing team has kept Nigel and Adaire Auret busier than they may have envisaged, but without any complaints.
2025 G1 The Metropolitan Field and Barrier Draw
Chris Waller and Ciaron Maher are set to have half of the Group I Metropolitan field between them with the Waller trained Birdman an easing favourite after drawing a wide gate for Saturday’s race.
Australia Possible for Proisir G1 Winner Pier
Darryn Weatherley is eyeing an Australian spring raid with a couple of his stable’s leading lights, including Group One winner Pier.
Proisir G1 Winner Back in Winning Form
Former quality three-year-old Pier made a welcome return to racing at Te Aroha on Monday when he strode to an impressive first-up victory in an open 1300m contest.
Equimillion This Long Weekend – Draws and Start Lists
Racing NSW have their annual Equimillion event coming up this long weekend at Sydney International Equestrian Centre at Horsley Park and for people interested in off the trackers it’s a showcase for the sport, so let’s take a look at who’s who in the zoo.
Stradbroke Goal for Pier
Darryn and Briar Weatherley are dreaming of Group One glory once again with their star galloper Pier, who is bound for Queensland after an impressive exhibition gallop at Matamata on Wednesday. 
Youngsters Impress Leading into Magic Millions Horses in Training Sale
The build up to the 2025 Magic Millions Gold Coast Horses in Training Sale has intensified with a swag of impressive breeze up performances over the past week.
Kiwi Raider Pier Upbeat Ahead of Epsom
Co-trainer and part-owner Darryn Weatherley is taking a glass half full approach ahead of Saturday’s Gr.1 Epsom Handicap (1600m) after he came up with an awkward wide gate for Pier.
Goffs Orby Day 2 - Trio of Million Dollar Yearling Fillies
The second day of the Goffs Orby Yearling Sale took off overnight with three individual yearlings selling for a million or more with the full sister to dual Group I winning champion 2YO Colt Blackbeard selling for €1.9 million to MV Magnier.