Pierro, All Too Hard and Samaready could clash in first Group One of the new season after all three were among first acceptors for the Golden Rose on Tuesday.
The Australian Turf Club (ATC) received 177 first acceptors for the $1 million Golden Rose (1400m) to be run at Rosehill on September 15.
Pierro, this season’s unbeaten two-year-old triple crown winner, headlines the list.
The colt has recently returned to Gai Waterhouse’s Randwick stables to begin his build up to the spring.
Also among the first declarations was Golden Slipper runner-up Snitzerland who split Pierro and Blue Diamond winner Samaready in the $3.5 million feature at Rosehill in April.
The ATC’s Matt Rudolph said the depth of the first acceptances set a solid platform for a quality race.
While high profile colts Pierro and All Too Hard are headline acts, Rudolph was also pleased with the quality of fillies still in contention.
“We’re very happy with the nominations and we would hope to see more fillies set for the race this year,” he said.
“Last year was a high-quality race but purely colts and geldings.
“We’ve got some high-class fillies this year including Samaready and Snitzerland who both placed in the Slipper.”
