Darryn Weatherley hasn’t had the easiest time when travelling horses to Australia, but his star runner Pier is starting to change that narrative as he heads towards Saturday’s Group 1 Epsom Handicap (1600m) at Randwick.
Weatherley’s previous visits across the Tasman yielded little joy, with Mali Ston and Maria Farina finishing unplaced at Randwick in 2022, while Arby could do no better than midfield in the 2023 Queensland Derby. But Pier has already given the stable plenty to cheer about, placing in all three of his Australian runs this year, including 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 warmed up for the Epsom with a strong late-finishing third behind unbeaten mare Autumn Glow in the Theo Marks Stakes (1300m). Already a proven miler with two wins from three starts at the trip, the four-year-old will be better suited by the extra distance this weekend.
Weatherley, who trains in partnership with daughter Briar, admitted he didn’t help matters when selecting barrier 13 at the draw, with only Autumn Glow drawn 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.”
“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 enjoy a three-kilo weight swing on Autumn Glow and again be partnered by Ethan Brown, who rode Jimmysstar to his first Sydney Group 1 in the All Aged Stakes (1400m). Brown has a full book on Saturday, including a return ride on Jimmysstar in the Premiere Stakes (1200m), his final Everest lead-up.
Punters eager to back Pier in the Epsom Handicap can compare odds and bonuses through Australia’s leading betting sites and trusted online bookmakers.
