Pierata Turns Tables on Kementari in Missile

[Wandering Eyes]

In two head-to-head battles last season, Pierata (Aus) (Pierro {Aus}) could not quite solve Godolphin’s Kementari (Aus) (Lonhro {Aus}), finishing a length behind that foe in Rosehill’s G2 Hobartville S. (1400m) last February before going down to a 1 1/2-length defeat in the G1 Randwick Guineas (1600m). While Kementari raced twice more at three, Pierata called it a season and resumed in the best imaginable way Saturday afternoon with a narrow success in the G2 Missile S. at Randwick.

One of the first to break the line, Pierata eased back into the one-by-one position with cover behind Music Magnate (NZ) (Written Tycoon {Aus}) as Kementari was allowed to find his feet in the latter half of the field while buried down inside. The favourite found a bit of traffic at midway, but Pierata had no such obstacles, as he was pulled out by James McDonald into the three path off the home corner to deliver his challenge. Glyn Schofield followed Pierata’s move into the lane, but was hemmed in by the hulking Takedown (Aus) (Stratum {Aus}). Daylight came at the 200m, but Pierata had the jump from his handier position and Kementari’s late lunge fell just short.

“All he wants to do is please you,” commented McDonald, who was hit with a four-meeting suspension for causing interference to longshot Egyptian Symbol (Aus) (Stratum {Aus}) inside the final half-mile. “He’s a pretty good horse that only does what he has to. He has got great acceleration, he moves like a dream. I wouldn’t want it over again, hitting the lead at the furlong, that was a bit of a mistake. As a racehorse, he ticks all the boxes.”

Rated by trainer and part-owner Greg Hickman as perhaps the best horse he’s ever trained, Pierata posted a breakthrough success at pattern level in the G3 Vo Rogue Plate at Doomben last Dec. 30, then added to his coffers in a massive way in the restricted Magic Millions 3YO Guineas (1400m) at the Gold Coast a fortnight later.

With three of the 12 slots for the A$13-million The Everest still open, Pierata could be scooped up for that race, but Hickman finds himself squarely on the fence.

“If the offer happens we will discuss it,” said Hickman, “It would be nice to win $13 million, but it would be nice to win an Epsom and other races as well.”

Pedigree Notes:

A half-brother to Ashokan, an A$810,000 Inglis Easter Yearling who won the G3 Skyline S. winner and was third in the G1 Golden Rose S., Pierata is out of a half-sister to MSP Villa Splendido (Aus) (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}), while the deeper female family includes G1 Hong Kong Sprint hero Natural Blitz (Aus) (Maroof). November Flight is the dam the 3-year-old filly November Morning (Aus) (Dundeel {NZ}) and a yearling colt by former ‘TDN Rising Star’ Rubick (Aus). She was most recently bred back to Pierro on a November cover.

Saturday, Randwick (Sydney), Australia
MISSILE S. (Missile S.)-G2, A$198,000, ATC, 8-04, 3yo/up, Open Weight For, 1200mT, 1:08.41, Good.
1–PIERATA, 58.5, c, 4, by Pierro
1st Dam: November Flight (GSW-Aus, A$259,320), by Flying Spur
2nd Dam : November Song (NZ), by Zabeel (NZ)
3rd Dam: Chorus Star, by Kaoru Star (AUS)
(A$160,000 Ylg 2016 MM Gold Coast Yearling Sale). O-G Hickman, R Wilson, R Coleman, W Clegg, G Clegg, C Clegg, A Gianesi, A Merritt, K Ayton, B Turton, T Bonello, J Zammit, M Aurisch, M Mathews, C Testa, V Sikais, A Carney, Miss T P; B-Hobartville Stud NSW; T-G D Hickman; J-J B Mc Donald; A$115,800. Lifetime Record: G1SP-Aus, 11-5-3-1, A$2,362,650. *1/2 to Ashokan (Aus) (More Than Ready), GSW & G1SP-Aus, A$301,800. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Werk Nick Rating: A++.
2–Kementari, 58.5, c, 4, Lonhro–Yavanna, by Redoute’s Choice. O-Godolphin Australia Syndicate (Mgr: Vin Cox); B-Darley NSW; T-James Cummings; J-G Schofield; A$37,600.
3–The Monstar, 58.5, g, 8, California Dane–Sirocco Mist, by Brocco (USA). O-B F Cavanough, G Edgar, G Chapman & J Armstrong; B-Baerami Thoroughbreds NSW; T-B F Cavanough; J-T Angland; A$18,300.
Margins: 0.2 len, 1.2 len, 1.5 len. Odds: 3.40, 1.40, 17.00.
Also Ran: Lanciato (NZ), Showtime, She Will Reign, Boss Lane, Music Magnate (NZ), Takedown, Egyptian Symbol.
Click for the Racing Australia chart or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.

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