China Gale is the first of Pierro's (pictured) progeny
Trainer Gai Waterhouse built Pierro’s legacy on the track and now has her first chance to aid his record off it.
China Gale is the first of Pierro’s progeny Waterhouse will take to the races in Saturday’s two-year-old maiden plate at Randwick.
Her now training partner Adrian Bott was working for the Waterhouse stable during Pierro’s short but remarkable career, when he became the sixth horse to win the two-year-old triple crown.
“He was an absolute champion two-year-old so it would be no surprise to see a lot of them come out early,” Bott said.
China Gale finished third in a barrier trial behind Breeders’ Plate winner Khan and the Hawkes Racing-trained Showtime, who is also set to make his debut in Saturday’s race.
Bott said China Gale had worked brilliantly since the trial.
“He looked quite professional and he’s done everything right so expect him to be competitive on Saturday,” Bott said.
He said the stable has a high opinion of Pierro’s progeny.
Bott says they have shown a fantastic attitude and willingness to cope with their work.
“This is the first one we’re producing but I could name another 10 in our stable that are going just as well that we think would be nice early two-year-old types,” Bott said.
“From what we’ve seen he’s got plenty of precocious types.”
China Gale, out of 2008 Wakeful Stakes winner Rocha, was a $450,000 yearling bought by the Chinese Domeland syndicate.
With Rocha’s Wakeful win over 2000m and a fifth placing in the same year’s VRC Oaks, Bott is confident China Gale will be effective over longer distances.
“He’s got the scope to develop and get a lot further,” Bott said.
Showtime, a full-brother to Sweet Idea, is the $1.85 favourite to win on debut.
Chris Waller-trained Luiza is on the second line of betting at $4.80 with the Jim and Greg Lee-trained Lightz – the progeny of Golden Slipper winners Sepoy and Polar Success – at $6.50.
China Gale is a $7 chance.
