Pierata trainer puts setback behind him
TRAINER Greg Hickman says there’s no use “crying over spilt milk’’ and despite Pierata’s last-start defeat, he remains hopeful the Pierro colt can still win a $500,000 bonus in Queensland this summer.
Pierata, who won first-up this campaign at Doomben on December 2, had his colours lowered by Whypeeo in the Gold Edition Plate last start.
The defeat means he now needs to win tomorrow’s Vo Rogue Plate at Doomben and the Magic Millions Guineas on the Gold Coast on January 13 to secure the 3YO Triple Crown bonus.
The Gold Edition Plate (1200m) at Doomben on December 16 proved to be controversial, with several jockeys telling stewards they were denied a fair start.
Pierata was among those slowly into stride and Hickman felt it was the difference between winning and losing the race.
But the Warwick Farmbased trainer said that’s ‘‘part and parcel of racing’’ and he’s looking forward to the rematch at 1350m tomorrow.
“It’s well documented what happened in the barriers,’’ Hickman said.
‘‘Corey (Brown) said he didn’t get a crack at it and had to use him up (but) I can’t be crying about spilt milk.
“I will be filthy if I miss out (on the bonus prizemoney) by one, won’t I?
“We’ve won one out of two, so we have to win the next two.
“Hopefully we can turn the tables. (Whypeeo) only just beat us last time and 1350m will be better (for us) than the 1200m, and I think he’s looking for that trip now.”
Hickman said the addition of ear muffs pre-race for tomorrow were merely to help keep the horse cool and he will also use cold water pre-race.
Gold Coast trainer Toby Edmonds sees no reason why his three-year-old Whypeeo won’t see out the 1350m tomorrow.
“I thought he was strong enough last start and Jeff (Lloyd) let him run well before the corner,” Edmonds told RSN.
“If we can dictate up on the speed, I’m pretty confident he will run it. He can control it from the front and run a really slick last 600m.”