29/04/2025

PROMISING Domeland filly Piperita highlighted her Queensland Winter Carnival credentials with a strong win at Randwick’s Kensington course on Anzac Day.

Well fancied to run a $4 second favourite, Piperita appreciated the step up to 1400m on the slow track to score her second win from three starts this campaign in the Fillies and Mares Benchmark 64.

Domeland’s Head Trainer Sara Ryan has high hopes for Piperita’s future and is looking forward to seeing her progress over longer trips later in her career.

“She’s been begging to step out in trip,” Ryan said.

“I actually think in her next prep she’ll get over 2000 metres. She just relaxes so well and grinds her way up there.”

More immediately, Ryan is hoping the three-year-old may get her chance to step up against stiffer competition by partnering stablemates Matcha Latte and Is It Spectacular to the Queensland Winter Carnival.

“We’re going to keep pushing on with her,” Ryan said.

“I have some eyes on potentially taking her up to Queensland. She’s just a pleasure to train. She’s such a lovely animal and does everything right.”

Winning jockey Ashley Morgan allowed Piperita to find her feet early and was particularly mindful to not allow the filly to be pushed down to the fence from her low draw.

After edging closer just before the corner, Morgan worked Piperita towards the middle of the track on straightening, giving her plenty of time to unleash her powerful finish.

“She put herself into a lovely spot,” Morgan said.

“I was just keen to not go to the fence because I knew she was going to need winding up.

“She travelled really well through the run and I just took my time to hit the front.”

Morgan noted there was still a lot of improvement to come from Piperita, who he said was unsure how to put her opposition away when she hit the front at the 150m.

But when the favourite Pelosa challenged late, the daughter of Yulong Stud stallion Pierata kicked strongly to win narrowly.

“I know when I did hit the front, she did have a bit of a look and was probably waiting for another horse,” Morgan said.

“When she felt (Pelosa) she really dug in and held it off.”

A $140,000 purchase from the Cressfield Stud draft at the 2023 Sydney Easter Sale, the victory was Piperita’s first at metropolitan level and her second win from just five career starts.

Morgan agreed with Ryan that Piperita has a promising future and was ready to step up against tougher opposition.

“She has a lovely attitude,” Morgan said.

“She didn’t give me any feel to suggest she would want to go out for the preparation.”

Morgan has developed a successful partnership with Ryan in recent weeks, kicking home three Domeland winners since mid-March, including the $1 million Provincial Midway Championships Final on Matcha Latte at Randwick on April 12.

“I’m sure Sara will place (Piperita) right as she has been doing lately with a lot of her horses,” Morgan said.

“It’s good to get another winner for her.”