Australia: Pierro runs down longshot to win Golden Slipper Stakes

[bc_video_id:248355:]Pierro, an Australian-bred colt by Lonhro, caught longshot pacesetter Snitzerland in the final sixteenth to win Saturday’s $3.57 million Golden Slipper Stakes at Rosehill Gardens in Australia.

The Group 1 Golden Slipper, run over six furlongs on turf, is the world’s richest 2-year-old race.

Ridden by Nash Rawiller for trainer Gai Waterhouse, Pierro broke well and stalked the pacesetter for the first half-mile before moving closer to the front. Snitzerland, a 25-1 shot, led to the final 100 yards before being caught by Pierro, who won by a half-length as the 11-2 second choice in a field of 16.

Samaready, the 9-5 favorite, finished third. A filly by More Than Ready, Samaready finished two lengths behind Pierro, who is owned by Greg Kolivos.

Pierro has won three stakes, including two Group 2 stakes in March. Waterhouse said that Pierro could make one more start this month, in one of two Group 1 races over seven furlongs or a mile at Randwick on April 28.

The Golden Slipper was one of five Group 1 races on Saturday’s Rosehill program.

Manighar won his second Group 1 race in recent weeks in the $2,295,000 BMW Cup over about 1 1/2 miles on turf.[bc_video_id:248359:]

Fifth in the 2011 Melbourne Cup, Manighar was ridden by Luke Nolen for trainer Peter Moody. Manighar was always near the front, took the lead with 2 1/2 furlongs remaining, and won by 1 1/2 lengths over Americain, the 7-5 favorite.

The winner of the 2010 Melbourne Cup, Americain overcame a touch of trouble in the final quarter-mile to finish a head in front of the 25-1 outsider Drunken Sailor in the field of nine.

Manighar won the Group 1 Ranvet Stakes on March 24.

In other stakes at Rosehill, More Joyous defended her title in the $408,000 Queen of the Turf Stakes, a Group 1 for fillies and mares over 7 1/2 furlongs. A 6-year-old by More than Ready, More Joyous finished 2 1/2 lengths in front of 80-1 Miss Keepsake.

Mosheen won her third consecutive Group 1 stakes in the $408,000 Vinery Stud Stakes over about 1 1/4 miles on turf. Mosheen took the lead shortly after the start and held on to win by a desperate half-length over Streama.

In the $408,000 George Ryder Stakes over about 7 1/2 furlongs, the 14-1 outsider Metal Binder prevailed in a six-horse blanket finish to win by a nose. The first six were separated by a little more than a half-length in the field of 17.

Metal Binder was third to More Joyous in the Canterbury Stakes on March 24.