It was an action packed finish to the opening race at Sandown Lakeside on Wednesday, and it was the Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman-trained 3-year-old filly Double Pi (Pierata) who had her head in front when it mattered most.
The well-related daughter of Pierata had shown promise as a spring 3-year-old, including a third placing at Moe. After a spell, she signalled she had returned in good order with two jump out wins this preparation at Traralgon and Pakenham.
In the run, the Chris Waller-trained Rock Them Jools (NZ) (Fastnet Rock) rolled forward to set a muddling tempo into a strong headwind. Double Pi travelled outside the leader, while Ten Warriors (Saxon Warrior {Jpn}) enjoyed a soft trail behind them. Meanwhile, race favourite Aliano (Toronado {Ire}) was trapped three wide without cover throughout.
Once they straightened, aided this time by a strong tailwind, Double Pi surged to the lead under in-form jockey Ben Melham and looked to have the race in her keeping at the 100-metre mark. However, the closers were charging, Ten Warriors finished strongly to grab second, while Melbourne Magic (Overshare) flew home out wide for third, and may well have won with another stride or two.
Managing owner Wylie Dalziel was very pleased with the win and explained the origins of the naming.
“One of the owners named her, it’s actually pronounced Double ‘Pie’, as in eat the pie, as she is by Pierata, and out of Pindara, so the P is doubled up.” Dalziel said.
“She was a nice little purchase from Melbourne Premier, we picked five at that Melbourne sales that year, and we got her for $50,000, the same price and sale as we got Boogie Dancer for a couple years earlier and she became a Gr.2 winner.
“We have some really good owners in her, some good mates from Ballarat, Julie Barnes from South Australia, Mick and Jenny Webb from South Australia, and some other good owners that have been with me for a while, for a few of them it was their first city winner.
“She has always shown good ability, but just needed to strengthen up, but it looks like she might be worth the wait.
Double Pi is the second live foal out of Pindara (Star Witness), a four-time winner who boasts a strong pedigree. She is a half-sister to some talented gallopers including Liesele (Exceed And Excel), a nine-time winner including the Listed Alinghi Stakes, Loved Up (Nicconi), who won the R. Listed Inglis Guineas among her six victories, and Parmalove (Snitzel), a dual winner who has gone on to produce the outstanding Velocious (Written Tycoon).
That filly was a six-time winner, including the Gr.1 Sistema Stakes, R. Listed Karaka Million 2YO, and Listed Counties Challenge Stakes. Notably, Velocious is set to be offered through the Inglis Digital Online platform later this month.
Double Pi as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Double Pi was initially purchased by ACM Bloodstock from the 2022 Inglis Great Southern Weanling Sale for $40,000, before being secured by Dalziel Bloodstock and Peter Moody Racing from the Springmount draft at the 2023 Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale for $50,000.
Since producing Double Pi, Pindara has foaled a yearling filly by Hanseatic, a weanling colt by Bruckner, and is due to foal to that stallion again in October this spring.
Written for TTRAusNZ
