Trainer Jason Warren has his eyes on a bigger prize after Grand Pierro took out the Listed Geelong Classic on Wednesday.
The Group 1 Victoria Derby (2500m) at Flemington on Saturday week now beckons for the three-year-old after he showed his staying prowess to claim victory in Wednesday’s 2200m contest.
Ridden by Craig Williams, Grand Pierro ($4.40) scored by a long neck from the $2.90 favourite Let’srollthedice with King’s Crossing ($51) a half-length away third.
Grand Pierro was lining up for his sixth start on Wednesday and Warren said the gelding was a genuine stayer that had been crying out for ground.
“He’s a genuine stayer, this guy, and looking for dry tracks and a race over the right distance for him and he found it today,” Warren said.
“We came here with quite a lot of confidence, and I was surprised to see him so short in the market.
“It was justified, and he’s ran up to it and it’s a really pleasing result to get another winner for Grand Syndications.”
Warren admitted to mid-race concerns when he saw Grand Pierro bottled up amongst runners with limited galloping room.
But he was full of priase for Williams being able to get the gelding through gaps as they presented.
“I guess that’s what you’ve got to do with young horses over these trips and he pinched a bit of room here and there,” Warren said.
“I was very confident he’d run the trip and he was strong on the line, so we can go to what looks to be a better race for a bit more money.
“He’s been a tricky horse to get going and it is a tribute to my staff. He’s got a few tricks up his sleeve and when he heads out onto the track, he doesn’t do everything right.
“One thing he’s always had though is a good stayer’s engine. He never blows, he always pulls up clean in the wind and we’ve always had him marked as a Derby hopeful.”
Warren won the Geelong Classic two years ago with Confrontational but that three-year-old was not nominated for the Derby.
The trainer will not be making the same mistake this year with Derby nominations closing on Monday.