Trainer Jason Warren harbours a significant ambition: to see Grand Pierro compete in the Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington on November 3.
The journey has officially commenced, with Grand Pierro returning to racing last month in the Mildura Cup, where he secured fourth place. His campaign now advances to the Travis Harrison Cup (1800m) at Caulfield this Saturday.
Warren’s objective is to have Grand Pierro primed for the subsequent Melbourne Cup qualifier, The Archer (2500m), scheduled for Flemington on September 12.
Victoria hosts four remaining Cup qualifiers: The Bart Cummings (2500m) at Flemington on October 3, the Geelong Cup (2400m) on October 21, and the Moonee Valley Gold Cup (2500m) – this year to be held at Flemington – on October 24, all following The Archer.
Nominations for the prestigious Melbourne Cup will close on September 1.
“He will be entered in the chance that he could qualify,” Warren stated.
“He’s proven over the distance in the Bagot and Adelaide Cup.”
“He’s not that obvious Melbourne Cup horse, but he stays and he could finish in the first half of the field if he got the chance.”
Grand Pierro’s spring campaign last year began in Melbourne, notably achieving a third-place finish behind Half Yours in the Naturalism Stakes.
Last year, Warren attempted to secure a Melbourne Cup entry through The Bart Cummings (eighth) and the Moonee Valley Gold Cup (fifth), after which the stayer travelled interstate for a three-race stint in Newcastle and then Perth, culminating in the Perth Cup on January 1.
Following three jump-outs, Grand Pierro made his first-up appearance at Mildura, a run that met with Warren’s approval.
“I thought his run in the Mildura Cup was terrific,” Warren commented.
“He drops in weight again for Saturday and I think it’s a nice race for him as the 1800 (metres) will suit him and it will give him the chance to get into a nice rhythm.
“He’s worked very well since his first-up run and he would need another run between now and The Archer, and I’ve planned to run him over 2000 metres at Caulfield in three weeks which would then give him two weeks to that race.
“If he could win on Saturday, or win in three weeks’ time, he could be well placed in The Archer.”
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