Promising filly Ciaron’s Star has moved a step nearer to earning a place in the Golden Slipper following a hard-fought success in the Pierro Plate (1100m) at Randwick, though her team wants confirmation of that effort prior to confirming entry in the $5 million highlight.
Positioned handy with Tommy Berry aboard, Ciaron’s Star ($5.50) surged strongly down the straight to beat Better By Far ($5.50) by three-quarters of a length, while Persian Wonder ($14) trailed by another 1-1/4 lengths for third spot.
Jo Gerard-Dubord, who assists trainer Ciaron Maher, noted that the triumph has opened the door for the filly to target a major Slipper trial, and another solid showing should cement her position in the planet’s most lucrative race for juveniles.
“You’ve got a Sweet Embrace in two weeks, a Reisling in three weeks, so we will probably look at one or the other and decide from there,” Gerard-Dubord said.
“She is very straightforward. Mentally, very good first-up, naturally she improved from that. She will just keep improving.”
Trainer Maher also conditions Magic Millions Classic victor Unit Five along with runner-up Tornado Valley, offering solid benchmarks for the stable’s current two-year-olds.
Gerard-Dubord feels their top young horses are closely matched and forms a notably balanced and skilled bunch.
“We have got a very good group of two-year-olds this year,” he said.
“I wouldn’t say there is a standout. The two Magic Millions boys, (stakes placegetter) Spicy Miss, and we’ve got a couple more coming out in the next couple of weeks.”
The Pierro Plate got off to a delayed beginning after Caloocan Beauty needed new shoes behind the gates and then balked at loading, resulting in her being scratched late.
Ciaron’s Star coped well with the hold-up, jumping sharply to settle on the pace, something Berry considered a key element in the result.
“That’s how these two-year-old races are usually won. They’re won at the start and she executed herself well,” Berry said.
“Today was all about getting the win to get her close to a Slipper, and she’s got to keep improving the way she has, but she’s heading in the right direction.”
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The post Maher filly Stars to win the Pierro Plate first appeared on Just Horse Racing.
