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Pier, the Group One winner, has exceptional abilities according to New Zealand trainer Darryn Weatherley. However, he also acknowledges that transitioning from a 3YO to open company is no easy feat. Despite considering the Melbourne Memsie Stakes, Weatherley has decided to start off with Saturday's Foxbridge Plate at Te Rapa, hoping that patience will eventually pay off in the long run.
"I was weighing up if we kick-off in the Memsie but I have been through the Melbourne program for him and for four-year-olds it's not easy," Weatherley, who trains in partnership with daughter Briar, said.
"Going from a three-year-old to against the big guns is a bit like your son playing NPC Rugby and then getting thrown into the All Blacks.
"Having said that, I don't doubt my horse's ability to measure up in those top races.
"It's just whether it's this year or next year. He's a November foal so he's not actually four yet."
If Pier runs as expected in Saturday's Group Two race, he may face off against top filly Legarto in the upcoming Tarzino Trophy over 1400m. Legarto, who won this year's Australian Guineas at Flemington, will help Weatherley determine if Pier is ready to compete with the top horses in Australia. If he proves himself, Pier could potentially head to Sydney for the Golden Eagle. Pier has already proven his worth by defeating Prowess, one of New Zealand's top prospects, in last year's Group One 2000 Guineas at Te Rapa.
"It's hard to ignore the carrots in Sydney if you were good enough to warrant a crack at them," Weatherley said.
"You've got the King Charles III for $5m and then the Golden Eagle two weeks later so it's a perfect set-up.
"In an ideal world, he wins on Saturday with his head on his chest then wins the Tarzino and if that happened, I'd be really keen on putting him on the plane and heading to Sydney for the Golden Eagle.
"But I'm not a dreamer either, he'd really need to win those races or run really well if he wants to take on the Aussies."
On Saturday, Pier will begin his spring preparation, as seen in the picture from Getty Images. He will also be accompanied by Mali Ston in the Foxbridge Plate, despite low expectations for the horse. Although Mali Ston has not raced in a while due to illness and injury, Weatherley is thrilled to have him back on the track.