Filly Ciaron’s Star on the rise has advanced her chances for the Golden Slipper with a determined triumph in the Pierro Plate (1100m) held at Randwick, yet her handlers seek further proof of that display before entering the $5 million event.
With Tommy Berry holding a forward spot, Ciaron’s Star ($5.50) powered clear late to hold off Better By Far ($5.50) by three-quarters of a length, leaving Persian Wonder ($14) a further 1-1/4 lengths adrift in third place.
Jo Gerard-Dubord, aide to trainer Ciaron Maher, stated the victory qualifies the filly for a prime Slipper preparatory race, and replicating it would probably secure her in the globe’s wealthiest two-year-old showdown.
“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.”
Maher’s string includes Magic Millions Classic champion Unit Five and second-placed Tornado Valley, key comparables for the yard’s juvenile talent pool.
Gerard-Dubord sees no clear hierarchy among their best young ones, praising the depth and quality of the group.
“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.”
The Pierro Plate faced a postponed jump-off as Caloocan Beauty underwent reshoeing past the barriers and resisted loading, prompting her delayed scratch.
Ciaron’s Star navigated the interruption calmly, starting briskly to track the speed, which Berry believed was crucial to success.
“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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