Maher's Ciaron's Star takes Pierro Plate in gritty effort

Progressive filly Ciaron's Star is inching toward qualification for the Golden Slipper after grinding out a win in the Pierro Plate (1100m) at Randwick, but her connections prefer she validates the performance before committing to the $5 million juvenile showpiece.

Travelling well just off the lead for Tommy Berry, Ciaron's Star ($5.50) accelerated sharply in the run home to pip Better By Far ($5.50) by three-quarters of a length, as Persian Wonder ($14) finished 1-1/4 lengths behind in third.

Assistant trainer Jo Gerard-Dubord to Ciaron Maher indicated the success has positioned the filly for an important path to the Slipper, with a similar effort almost certainly booking her ticket to the world's top juvenile contest.

“You’ve got a Sweet Embrace in two weeks, a Reisling in three weeks, so we will probably look at one or the other and decide from there,” Gerard-Dubord said.

“She is very straightforward. Mentally, very mature. She was very good first-up, naturally she improved from that. She will just keep improving.”

In the stable, Maher handles Magic Millions Classic winner Unit Five and the placegetter Tornado Valley, serving as reliable guides to this season's young stock.

To Gerard-Dubord, the stable's elite juveniles are bunched tightly together, making up an exceptionally level and capable cohort.

“We have got a very good group of two-year-olds this year,” he said.

“I wouldn't say there is a standout. The two Magic Millions boys, (stakes placegetter) Spicy Miss, and we've got a couple more coming out in the next couple of weeks.”

A hiccup preceded the Pierro Plate start when Caloocan Beauty had to be reshod at the barriers and then wouldn't enter the stalls, causing her last-minute withdrawal.

The filly Ciaron's Star managed the wait smoothly, breaking cleanly to join the leaders, a move Berry viewed as pivotal.

“That's how these two-year-old races are usually won. They're won at the start and she executed herself well,” Berry said.

“Today was all about getting the win to get her close to a Slipper, and she's got to keep improving the way she has, but she's heading in the right direction.”

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The post Maher filly Stars to win the Pierro Plate first appeared on Just Horse Racing.