Racing
Maher filly Stars to win Pierro Plate
Ciaron Maher has boosted the depth of his juvenile stocks with an aptly named winner at Randwick.
Improving filly Ciaron's Star has moved a step closer to earning a start in the Golden Slipper with a determined victory in the Pierro Plate at Randwick, but connections want to see her underscore that performance to cement her place in the $5 million race.
Travelling on the speed for Tommy Berry, Ciaron's Star ($5.50) surged clear in the straight to score by three-quarters of a length over Better By Far ($5.50) with Persian Wonder ($14) another 1-1/4 lengths away third.
Jo Gerard-Dubord, assistant to trainer Ciaron Maher, said Saturday's win had earned the youngster a shot at one of the fillies' Golden Slipper lead-ups and if she could produce a similar performance there, the world's richest juvenile race beckoned.
"You've got a Sweet Embrace (Stakes) in two weeks, a Reisling (Stakes) 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 puts the polish on Magic Millions Classic winner Unit Five and runner-up Tornado Valley, giving the stable some handy measuring sticks for the current crop of two-year-olds.
Gerard-Dubord said there wasn't much between their top echelon of youngsters and felt they were a strong band overall.
"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 start of the Pierro Plate (1100m) was delayed when Caloocan Beauty had to be reshod behind the starting stalls then refused to load, forcing her late scratching.
Ciaron's Star took the drama in her stride, bouncing well to assume a spot on the speed, and Berry said that's where she won the race.
"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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