Trainer Jason Warren harbours a singular ambition: to see Grand Pierro line up in the Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington on November 3.
The journey has begun, with Grand Pierro making his return last month in the Mildura Cup, securing fourth place. His campaign now shifts to the Travis Harrison Cup (1800m) at Caulfield on Saturday.
Warren’s plan is to have Grand Pierro ready for the next Melbourne Cup qualifier, The Archer (2500m), to be held at Flemington on September 12.
There are four remaining Cup qualifiers in Victoria: The Bart Cummings (2500m) at Flemington on October 3, the Geelong Cup (2400m) on October 21, and the Moonee Valley Gold Cup (2500m) – this year to be run at Flemington – on October 24, following The Archer.
Nominations for the Melbourne Cup close on September 1.
“He will be entered in the chance that he could qualify,” Warren mentioned.
“He’s proven over the distance in the Bagot and Adelaide Cup.”
“He’s not that obvious Melbourne Cup horse, but he stays and he could finish in the first half of the field if he got the chance.”
Grand Pierro’s spring campaign last year commenced in Melbourne, and he achieved a third placing behind Half Yours in the Naturalism Stakes.
Last spring, Warren aimed for a Melbourne Cup start via The Bart Cummings (eighth) and the Moonee Valley Gold Cup (fifth) before the stayer headed interstate. He raced three times in Newcastle and then Perth, concluding with the Perth Cup on January 1.
Following three jump-outs, Grand Pierro contested his first-up run at Mildura, a performance that pleased Warren.
“I thought his run in the Mildura Cup was terrific,” Warren stated.
“He drops in weight again for Saturday and I think it’s a nice race for him as the 1800 (metres) will suit him and it will give him the chance to get into a nice rhythm.
“He’s worked very well since his first-up run and he would need another run between now and The Archer, and I’ve planned to run him over 2000 metres at Caulfield in three weeks which would then give him two weeks to that race.
“If he could win on Saturday, or win in three weeks’ time, he could be well placed in The Archer.”
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