Coming from well back in the field, the Jason Warren-trained gelding Grand Pierro has taken out Wednesday's traditional Geelong Classic (2200m) in impressive fashion.
Jockey Craig Williams expertly weaved his way through runners to eventually get on the back of pre-race favourite Let'srollthedice before letting down to win well by a head.
Peshwa led for most of the race and set up a solid tempo for the backmarkers to make their moves before the final turn – fanning out very wide across the track heading for home.
It looked like Danny O'Brien's Let'srollthedice (Blake Shinn) had them covered with 200m to go before Grand Pierro was able to sustain a long run from deep in the field to win the three-year-old Listed race.
He came out of what looks an exceptional form-line for the VRC Derby (2500m) when fifth behind Mr Maestro last start in the Super Impose Stakes (1800m) at Flemington on October 1.
Grand Pierro wasn't without his admirers for the Geelong Classic, however, with strong money late seeing his price slashed from +650 into +350 with Bovada.
The son of Pierro will now progress to the Group 1 VRC Derby on October 29.
When asked about his runner post-race, Warren was glowing, but not even he was expecting the market support on offer.
“We've just been looking for dry tracks and a race over the right distance for him, and he found it today,” Warren said.
“We came here with quite a lot of confidence, I was surprised to see him so short in the market, but it was justified and he's run up to it.
“I was a little worried mid-race, he was all bottled up with nowhere to go, but Craig was picking through really small gaps and I guess that's what you've got to do with young horses over these trips.
“I was very confident he'd run out the trip and he was strong on the line, so we can go to what looks to be a better race for a bit more money.
“One thing he's always had is a stayer's engine, he never blows, he always pulls up clean in the wind and we've always had him marked as a Derby hopeful.”
Progressing with Grand Pierro, Williams is excited about the gelding's versatility for a Derby.
“It was nice to ride him in the field, he's actually got a really good change-up speed and he's still really learning his trade, and today will give him a real confidence boost I think,” he said.
“That's the interesting part about the Derby, it's steeped in our history, but it's not easy to get three-year-olds that mature out to this distance.
“You do need the right horse every year, and if this horse has a good 10 days and Jason Warren is happy to go that far this preparation, because of everything he's been doing he's going to be much better next year.”
After the victory at Geelong, Grand Pierro has firmed in the market for the VRC Derby from +2500 into +1400, while favouritism is still with the Andrew Forsman-trained Mr Maestro at +250.