Pierata returns for Group One campaign

Pierata runs in the Canterbury Stakes, one of three Randwick sprints he will contest this autumn.

The studs are starting to circle around Pierata as he prepares to kick off a Group One campaign geared towards the two biggest sprint races of the Sydney autumn carnival.

The four-year-old resumes in the Canterbury Stakes (1300m) at Randwick on Saturday against a classy field which includes multiple Group One winner Trapeze Artist, Kementari and Shoals.

Trainer Greg Hickman confirmed the TJ Smith and All Aged Stakes were also on the agenda, along with the job of securing the entire’s career beyond the racetrack.

Several studs have shown interest in the son of Pierro and Hickman expects a deal to be done in the coming weeks.

“During the sales, (bloodstock agent) James Ferguson brought a lot of the stud people over to look at him and I’m sure something will be done by the end of this preparation,” Hickman said.

After a midfield finish in the Epsom Handicap last spring, Hickman made the decision to restrict Pierata to shorter distances.

It brought an instant reward when he scored a brilliant win in the Sydney Stakes (1200m), his time more than a second faster than Redzel recorded to win The Everest on the same afternoon.

Hickman is confident the horse has returned at least as well and says he is forward enough for the 1300 metres on Saturday.

Banner error, could not find casino id "william-hill-sport"

“He is replicating everything that he did last time,” Hickman said.

“His work has been quite sharp, although he’s a lot cheekier to work with.”

That cheekiness will stand him in good stead when he is eventually retired to stud duties but Hickman’s sole focus for now is on the Sydney autumn carnival and its two prestige sprint races.

“He’ll run in the TJ Smith and he’ll run in the All Aged Stakes as well,” Hickman said.

Trapeze Artist has opened favourite for the Canterbury Stakes, ahead of Pierata and Kementari.

The Hawkes Racing-trained Brutal will add further interest to the race when he attempts to become the first three-year-old to win since Holler three years ago.

A field of nine has been declared for the Group One Randwick Guineas with trainer Mark Newnham confirming Nakeeta Jane will back up from her Surround Stakes win last weekend and take on star colt The Autumn Sun.

She is one of three fillies in the Guineas backing up from the Surround, the other two being runner-up Fundamentalist and Miss Fabulass who was unplaced.