Trainer Jason Warren predicts Grand Pierro to be the one flashing home in 2025 Bagot Handicap at Flemington

Trainer Jason Warren wants Grand Pierro to get last crack at the opposition in the Listed Bagot Handicap (2800m) at Flemington on New Year’s Day.

Grand Pierro (left) and Goldman, pictured fighting out the finish of the Pakenham Cup, will again go head-to-head in the Bagot at Flemington on Wednesday. Picture: Vince Caligiuri / Getty Images

Trainer Jason Warren wants Grand Pierro to get last crack at the opposition in the Listed Bagot Handicap (2800m) at Flemington on New Year’s Day.

Grand Pierro loomed up ominously at the top of the straight last start in the Listed Pakenham Cup (2500m) but could not quite overhaul tough leader Goldman.

“I think Zac (Spain) probably pulled the trigger a little bit early at Pakenham,” Warren said.

“He would probably, if he had his time again, stay covered up a little bit longer if we could.

“We were following Vow And Declare in the run and thought he might take us further into the race.

“If we can stay covered up a bit longer that’s his ride and be the last one on the scene.”

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The pair could go stride-for-stride again on Wednesday.

Grand Pierro is $9 with Ladbrokes.

“He loomed up like he was going to put the winner away and to the winner’s credit it looked like it was beaten and lifted again,” Warren said.

“Both horses surged to the line strong … an extra few hundred metres won’t hurt our bloke.

“He’s bounced through the run (Pakenham Cup), in fact I reckon he’s improved from it.”

Grand Pierro finished third in the Bagot 12 months ago and is expected to again run well.

It's a sensational wire-to-wire performance from Goldman who wins the Pakenham Cup 🏆@GaiWaterhouse1@beau_mertenspic.twitter.com/l1QBFEdWwt

— Racing.com (@Racing) December 21, 2024

• Ciaron Maher camp eyes NZ raid with Bagot hopeful Interpretation

The five-year-old, who has won three of 26 starts and placed six times, will be freshened after the Bagot for a shot at the Group 2 Adelaide Cup (3200m) in March.

Grand Pierro travelled to Tasmania last February and placed third in both the Hobart and Launceston cups.

“He’s seasoned up now and once this horse is hard fit he holds his form too,” Warren said.

“His run at Caulfield (two starts back third behind Kadavar) showed he was on track because it was a heavy track and he doesn’t like the wet, so looking forward to (the Bagot).

“He took a few runs to get fit this time in, ideally following the Bagot, rather than going to Tasmania we’ll freshen and then set him for the Adelaide Cup.

“We’ll go straight over there and run in the lead-up races.”

Originally published as Trainer Jason Warren predicts Grand Pierro to be the one flashing home in 2025 Bagot Handicap at Flemington