Australia: Pierro Rose in promising form for one-mile handicap

Dismiss the comprehensive loss in the Group 3 Kembla Grange Classic in March, Pierro Rose is better suited to a race such as a one-mile handicap at Swan Hill Racecourse in Australia on Tuesday.

Trained by Adrian Bott and Gai Waterhouse, Pierro Rose is approaching Tuesday’s race in promising form. After finishing 13th in the Kembla Grange Classic, Pierro Rose was 10th in a handicap at Pakenham Racecourse in April before being rested through the Australian winter.

In her comeback in a seven-furlong handicap at Hamilton Racecourse on Sept. 14, Pierro Rose set the pace and faded to finish third, beaten 2 1/4 lengths as the 8-5 favorite. Pierro Rose is unlikely to be that strong of a favorite Tuesday, but is expected to be the public choice.

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Pierro Rose has one victory in nine starts, a maiden race at 7 1/4 furlongs in February at Queanbeyan Racecourse.

Swan Hill is located in the Australian countryside, far from the major metropolitan centers. Pierro Rose’s appearance there is a continuation of her campaign at smaller venues.

The one-mile handicap will have a maximum field of 14. Pierro Rose will carry 127.8 pounds, well below topweight Mitrust at 142 pounds. The handicap is part of a nine-race program that begins at 10:55 p.m. Eastern, or 7:55 p.m. Pacific, on Monday. Wagering is available through DRFBets.com.

Pierro Rose is likely to set the pace. The handicap is the first start since March for Field of Lights, a maiden race winner at a mile at Pakenham in January. A 4-year-old gelding, Field of Lights was later fourth and ninth in his first two starts against winners in February and March.

Judge Jeanine, a 5-year-old mare, has won 2 of 13 starts. This is her third start of the month. She won a seven-furlong handicap at Benalla Racecourse on Sept. 1, but was eighth of 10 in a handicap at about a mile at Wodonga as the 2-1 favorite on Sept. 15.