Australia hasn’t always been a happy hunting ground for Darryn Weatherley but Pier is quickly changing that as he bids to deliver the New Zealand trainer a maiden Group One win in Sydney.
Prior to this year, Weatherley had enjoyed little luck travelling horses across the Tasman with the likes of Mali Ston and Maria Farina both finishing unplaced at Randwick in the autumn of 2022, while Arby was midfield in the 2023 Queensland Derby.
However, Pier is quickly changing Weatherley’s fortunes, managing a top three finish in his past three Australian runs, highlighted by his victory in the Listed The Wayne Wilson (1600m) during the Brisbane winter carnival.
“We have brought over a couple of horses before. We’ve had a horse in a Queensland Derby and I brought Pier here as a three-year-old,” Weatherley said.
“Each time we got a blood nose. We had to go home with nothing.
“When we brought Pier back this time he’s had three runs in Australia for two thirds and a win so I don’t feel greedy. But we’ve gone home with our tail between our legs a few times so hopefully we can put our foot on the till again on Saturday.”
Pier tuned up for Saturday’s Epsom Handicap (1600m) with a late closing third behind boom mare Autumn Glow in the Theo Marks Stakes (1300m) and has won two of his three starts over a mile.
He has been aimed at the feature since winning in Queensland, although Weatherly, who trains in partnership with daughter Briar, admits he let the team down when he selected barrier 13 at the draw with only Autumn Glow wider.
“I had one job from the family at home to draw a good alley but anyway,” he said.
“At least we can keep an eye on Autumn Glow. She is obviously an exceptional filly. We have got a good run down the back straight and he’s a long-striding horse so that gives us a few options depending on how the race is run and whether we go forward or back.
“I knew he’d be a little bit vulnerable in his first-up run. He was a bit pretty. I was hoping to run top three and he did and I think he has improved from there.
“He is certainly a better miler than he is a 1300-metre horse.”
Pier will also benefit from a three kilo weight turnaround on Autumn Glow and will be partnered by his regular Australian rider Ethan Brown, who captured his first Sydney Group 1 aboard Jimmysstar in the All Aged Stakes (1400m) during the autumn.
Brown has rides in all three majors at Randwick on Saturday and will again link with Jimmysstar in the Premiere Stakes (1200m), the sprinter’s final lead-up to the $20 million The Everest (1200m) on October 18.
