It’s usually no surprise when Gai Waterhouse trains winners of early season two-year-old races but Pierrette caught punters off guard at Randwick.
The Waterhouse-trained Vancouver won last week’s Breeders’ Plate as one of the favourites but Pierrette was sent out at $18 in Saturday’s 2YO Plate (1000m).
Apprentice Winona Costin took advantage of Pierrette’s early pace to steer the filly over to the fence where she assumed control.
Sebring’s Sun ($4.60) made a meal of the start from the outside barrier, coming out at the rear of the field and having to be pushed along to take up a position.
Costin kept Pierrette focused to the line with Sebring’s Sun making ground wide before he drifted even wider on the track to finish a half length behind.
“She is just a little professional. She gives everything she has got and did a good job today,” Costin said.
“She was very quickly away from the gates. That is her natural style and she kept running.”
Favourite Feast For Eyes ($4) gave his backers little hope, finishing sixth of the 10 runners.
The Waterhouse stable sprung another upset when Order Of The Sun ($12) led all the way to win the 2000m benchmark 90, breaking a 16-year-old track record previously held by Group One winner Dignity Dancer.
The winner of the VRC St Leger earlier this year, Order Of The Sun ran 2:00.36, taking .07 off the previous mark.
Grand Marshal ($4.60) held his second position, three lengths away with $2.50 favourite Best Case another 3-1/2 lengths away.
“He is one-paced but at the top of the straight he kicked strongly,” jockey Thomas Huet said.
“I am a bit surprised at the time, but he was going so well all through the race.”
Waterhouse’s stable representative Mark Newnham said Order Of The Sun could back up in next week’s Tattersall’s Cup.
