The two highest-profile colts in Australia will go head-to-head at Saturday’s $3-million Cox Plate, at Moonee Valley.

The rematch between star three-year-olds Pierro and All Too Hard was locked in after trackwork this morning.

Ashleigh Stevenson reports.

TRANSCRIPT

Two weeks ago, All Too Hard inflicted the first defeat on juvenile triple crown winner Pierro in the Caulfield Guineas.

Now, the pair will do battle again, over two thousand and forty metres at Moonee Valley.

Pierro has now been firmed as the Cox Plate favourite, after drawing perfectly in barrier seven for Saturday’s race.

All Too Hard’s co-trainer says the best outcome would be a very close race.

Wayne Hawkes, All Too Hard Co-trainer: “I’d love to see Pierro have the perfect run, let us have the perfect run and let the two of them fight it out with a hundred to go. I reckon that’d be great for me but it’d be great for racing. Racing would be the winner.”

Gai Waterhouse has threee runners in the Cox Plate. Pierro, fellow three-year-old Proisir and eight-time Group One-winning mare More Joyous.

Ms Waterhouse hasn’t had much success at this year’s Spring Carnival so far and is hoping her luck changes with Pierro on Saturday.

Gai Waterhouse, Pierro Trainer: “He’s an outstanding horse, really outstanding horse. I don’t think he lost one detractor the other day in the Guineas. I think the distance will suit him better. I think the race will suit him.”

All Too Hard has barrier three while second favourite Green Moon will start from gate five.

The other leading contender, New Zealander Ocean Park, has barrier nine.

Ashleigh Stevenson, QUT News