Blue Diamond winner Samaready is on track for a rematch with Golden Slipper winner Pierro when the pair clash in the Group 1 $1m Golden Rose Stakes (1400m) at Rosehill on September 15.
Both youngsters are back in work and the Golden Rose will be an early Spring highlight leading into the much anticipated Melbourne Spring Carnival.
Triple Crown winner Pierro is back in the stables of Gai Waterhouse at Randwick while Samaready has resumed work at Mick Prices’ complex at Caulfield.
Pierro and Samaready lined up in the Group 1 $3.5m AAMI Golden Slipper (1200m) at Rosehill both undefeated and even though Price’s filly was sent out the $2.80 favourite, Waterhouse’s colt proved far superior and went on to complete the Triple Crown with Samaready finishing third and heading to the paddock.
Price will give Samaready one run in Melbourne before heading to Sydney for the Golden Rose which sees Pierro the early favourite at $3 ahead of the Team Hawkes’ trained All Too Hard at $4.20.
Samaready has been listed on the third line of betting at $6 and Price will use the Rosehill race to guide him which way to proceed with his smart filly during the rest of the Spring.
“Will she run out a mile or will she be just a sprinter? I suppose we’ll get the answer when she steps up to 1400m for the first time in the Golden Rose and I’ll be guided by that,” Price said.
Price’s option are stepping Samaready up to 1600m and start her in the Group 1 $500,000 Schweppes Thousand Guineas at Caulfield on October 17 or freshen up the More Than Ready filly and set a program heading towards Group 1 $500,000 Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) at Flemington on November 3.
Reports from the Waterhouse stable indicate that Pierro has returned from the spelling paddock in great order and is expected to continue his outstanding two year old form which saw him go through the season undefeated and will see him crowned the Champion two year old of the season.
Pierro has already claimed the first of many awards when the Lonhro colt was given the Hunter Thoroughbred Breeders Association award for Champion two year old and Champion racehorse for the season.
“Pierro’s grown a little bit and thickened up a little bit. He looks fantastic and he’s got a good bit of condition on him,” said Waterhouse’s stable foreman Mark Newnham.
“He’s gone from a boy to a young man.”
“He’s back in the same box with the same neighbour. He’s next to Strawberry Boy and his attitude is good. He seems happy to be back.”
After winning the Golden Slipper in dynamic style, Pierro went on to wrap up the Triple Crown with wins at Randwick in the Group 1 $500,000 Inglis Sires Produce Stakes (1400m) on April 14 beating All Too Hard and the Group 1 $400,000 Moet & Chandon Champagne Stakes (1600m) on April 28.
