The Shorts 2019: Pierata pounces on favouritism for The Everest in superb Randwick dress rehearsal

Trainer Greg Hickman says he couldn’t be happier after Pierata put paid to a small but talented field in The Shorts to have his sprinter perfectly placed heading towards his grand final.

Pierata won but this was a race where there was no loser.

The Group 2 $500,000 The Shorts (1100m) at Royal Randwick on Saturday only had five starters but it was a compelling contest with Pierata taking the honours.

But the exciting finish where Classique Legend, Redzel and Graff were close enough to the winner to give their connections confidence going deeper into the spring carnival.

For a lead-up to the $14 million The TAB Everest (1200m) at Royal Randwick on October 19, The Shorts lived up to the pre-race hype despite six withdrawals.

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Pierata’s trainer Greg Hickman, sporting a cap emblazoned with Everest slot-holder Aquis brand and a tie with his stable colours of blue, red and yellow, said his brilliant sprinter is right on target for The Everest.

“The race has worked out perfectly, he let down and fought really hard to the line. He is right where we want him,’’ Hickman said.

“He loves Randwick and The Everest is at Randwick.”

Pierata, confidently backed into $2.50 favouritism, stalked the leaders then finished powerfully to score by a half length from Classique Legend ($3.40) with a nose to Redzel ($4.20).

Graff worked to the line strongly late to finish fourth, only a length from the winner.

TAB Fixed Odds price assessors reacted immediately to The Shorts result, elevating Pierata from $6 to $5 outright favouritism for The Everest.

Tommy Berry celebrates as Pierata takes out The Shorts. Picture: AAP

Santa Ana Lane, the long-time Everest favourite, eased slightly to $6, Redzel held his position at $7 and was joined by Classique Legend, who firmed from $8 to $7.

Hickman has the option of starting Pierata in the Group 2 $500,000 Premiere Stakes (1200m) in two weeks or giving the brilliant sprinter a barrier trial leading into The Evereset.

“We’ll just wait, we’ll see how he is at home,’’ Hickman said.

Greg Hickman is one very happy trainer! Pierata is the new favourite for the Everest. pic.twitter.com/wEayPk7ewi

— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) September 21, 2019

“If I think he needs it we will go around or if not he won’t be. He’s as good as he’s ever been so we’ll be in the money somewhere.”

Tommy Berry, rider of Pierata, said the five-year-old is a more complete racehorse this spring.

“Greg and I have been saying all ‘prep’ that this horse has come back bigger, stronger and better and he has,’’ Berry said.

Berry returns to scale after riding Pierata to victory.

“I went a bit earlier on him than I would have liked, I was trying to get around Home Of The Brave and shut the door on Nash (Rawiller, rider of Classique Legend) but he poked his head through anyway.

“My bloke, when he felt Classique Legend come, he just surged again. He is such a trier and he knows where the winning post is.’’

Classique Legend’s trainer Les Bridge was more than satisfied with Classique Legend’s return to racing.

'That was a Cox Plate effort today. He's airborne.' James Cummings on AVILIUS @telegraph_sport https://t.co/8Sbx63QdNN

— News Racing (@superracing) September 21, 2019

“He has gone super and showed he is right up to this level,’’ Bridge said.

“I’ll run him in the Premiere next and he will be right for The Everest. It’s not Everest Day today, is it? That’s all I’m worried about.’’

Redzel, the dual Everest champ, may not have won but trainer Peter Snowden said the gelding will be hard to beat again in the world’s richest turf race next month.

“He’s flying,’’ Snowden said. “It’s probably disappointing for the punters who backed him but in four weeks he’ll be in there fighting hard.

Berry roars as Pierata proves too powerful at his favourite track.

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“He’s run really well, he jumped well, he showed intent, his cruising speed was there. He will trial in two weeks and run two weeks after that in the Everest.”

Graff’s bid for The Everest is over despite his meritorious fourth as owner Alan Bell believes his four-year-old is looking for further with his new aim the $7.5 million Golden Eagle (1500m) at Rosehill Gardens on November 2.

“We will go to the Silver Eagle next and then concentrate on the Golden Eagle,’’ Bell said.