Pierro overcame a slow start and showed he would be one of the horses to beat in the upcoming Golden Slipper at Rosehill with an outstanding win in Saturday’s Group Two Silver Slipper Stakes (1100m) at Rosehill.

Racing for the first time since winning the Breeders Plate at Randwick on October 1, Pierro finished full of running in the feature juvenile race to beat Hussousa by a widening one length margin.

When Pierro won the Breeders Plate some five months ago trainer Gai Waterhouse declared racegoers had just seen the Golden Slipper winner – and judging by his Silver Slipper success her early statement looks on track.

“He is a very, very good horse and since his win in October you have seen some pretty exciting horses come out of the yard and he will certainly have his time cut out for him on Slipper Day.”

“There is still a lot to work with and he is a horse that will improve out of that run.”

“He will definitely not want to be missing the start too much other wise he might have to do a Belle du Jour.”

Rider Nash Rawiller has always held Pierro in high regard and he was suitably impressed with his latest success.

“He is a lovely horse and I’ve got a massive opinion of him for the future,” Rawiller said.

“I thought he couldn’t have been any better today. But in saying that in the next three weeks he’s got to take it to another level.”

“I thought it was a great trial for the Slipper,” Rawiller added.

Bookmakers were impressed with the victory of Pierro and he is now a clear second favourite for the Golden Slipper, with only the Baramul Stud bred Samaready ahead of him in betting.

Pierro was bred by Sheikh Mohammed’s powerful Australian Darley operation and was sold through their draft for $115,000 at the 2010 Magic Millions National Weanling Sale.

There he was pin-hooked by Victorian horseman David Kobritz and sold through his Musk Creek Farm draft for $230,000 at the 2011 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.

Pierro is a son of last season’s champion Australian sire Lonhro and is from a Sydney and French winner Miss Right Note.

A daughter of Daylami, Miss Right Note is a half sister to the former Italian champion Laverock – who like Lonhro is by former Aussie champion Octagonal.

Winner: Pierro
Breeding: Lonhro-Miss Right Note (Daylami)
Race: ATC Silver Slipper Stakes G2 (1100m)
Sold for: $115,000
Sale: 2010 Magic Millions National Weanling Sale
Vendor: Darley
Buyer: David Kobritz
Sold for: $230,000
Sale: 2011 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale
Vendor: Musk Creek Farm (As Agent)
Buyer: Gai Waterhouse
Earnings: $181,700
Owner(s): G & Mrs D Kolivos
Trainer: Gai Waterhouse (Randwick)