Triple Crown Syndications appear to have a horse with plenty of upside as we approach the new season after their 2yo Pierata gelding Without Peer made a winning debut in the Traffic Warden @ Darley Handicap (1200m) on Saturday at Rosehill.
With the Chris Waller trained race favourite Alphard (Street Boss) missing the kick slightly when the gates opened, it was the 100/1 chance Aliza (Prague) who went forward to take up the running as Without Peer settled back with just two behind him.
As the well-bred Portofino (I Am Invincible) challenged Aliza as the field headed into the home turn, both Without Peer and the well-fancied Spice Prawn (Too Darn Hot) were coming home together down the outside of the field.
While Spice Prawn took a little time to warm up, Without Peer looked very professional as the Ciaron Maher trained gelding knuckled down under Chad Schofield to take the win by a long neck from Peter Snowden's Spice Prawn.
Noted working home extremely well from last to take third was the Joe Pride trained Reflect with the daughter of Coolmore Stud's of So You Think one to watch as the distances increase.
With all three placegetters the last three as the field headed into the home straight, it will be interesting to see if that is the pattern of the day as we progress through the remainder of the card.
Purchased for $120,000 by Triple Crown Syndications from the Twin Hills Stud draft at the Inglis Premier yearling sale, Without Peer is the fourth winner from five runners out of the High Chaparral mare Alderney, herself a sister to the Listed winner Ballet Suite and a half-sister to the stakes placed trio Casquets, Furiosa and Merensky Reef.
Bred by Grimley B B A Pty Ltd and Mr D Corrigan, Without Peer is the 51st winner this season in Australia for Yulong’s Pierata (Pierro) who will stand for a fee of $55,000 (inc. GST) in the spring.