Consistent five-year-old Pittsburgh Pirate dominated proceedings from the front at Benalla last Friday, leading nearly every step of the way to score in BM64 company over 2100-metres. The gelded son of Pierro was given every chance by jockey Jamie Mott, straightening for home with a two length buffer and only extending that margin to the line. Mott flagged his intentions early, letting his gelding roll outside the lead into the back straight, before taking control of the race at the 1400-metre mark. He wasn’t to be headed from that point on, increasing the tempo approaching the home bend and putting the race to bed soon after. Mott was pleased with how his gelding settled in the middle stages of the race.
“He surprised me in front, he just completely switched off”, the leading hoop said.
“Because I had such a good time I got going from the half mile and really made him get to his top quickly.
“It worked well today and he held a good gallop through the line”.
Henry was pleased to get another win with his honest galloper.
“Good to get another win with this horse. He’s been knocking on the door and he was due, so good to see him get it done”, Henry said.
“Off the way he won today, you’d think there would be another win in him in the not-to-distant future”.
Where that will be is still up in the air, with the 2200-metre Hamilton Cup a leading option on October 12th.
Pittsburgh Pirate now has four career wins from nineteen starts, Friday’s victory his first this preparation on the back of consistent performances since stepping up in trip.