Pioneer Square is all heart

RACHEL VENNIKER finally made it out of the second box to get Pioneer Square home in the Michaelmas Handicap (Non-Black Type) that headed the card at Hollywoodbets Greyville yesterday.

- ANDREW HARRISON

Candice Dawson was in two minds whether to takes their chances from the widest draw but considering that the gelding had never finished out of the money, a place cheque would have paid for expenses.

It was a close-run thing however as Venniker took the brave decision to head for the lead.

Celtic Beauty

Drawn widest she first had to fight off Celtic Beauty and Go Grayson Go before settling into a rhythm. Pioneer Square still had the lead at the top of the straight but threatened by a wall of horses.

The son of Querari is not lacking in intestinal fortitude and kept finding with the result down to the wire where he kept his nose in front to hold off Johnny The Thief by the narrowest of margins with the ever consistent Cape Eagle another short head back in third.

Cognac looked to be one of the better bets on yesterday's card in spite of his high merit rating garnered after his impressive maiden win and 61kg on his back. It was not all plain sailing but the Rafeef colt got the deed done and is now headed for the Cape Summer with Stuart Ferrie's string that includes Gladatorian and the G1 Cape Guineas is possibly on the agenda.

Stable companion Luneluck set a blistering pace and although, according to Sean Veale having his first win back from suspension, the plan was to settle Cognac in the running. However, Veale seemed to be caught a little off guard at the start with El Dante playing up on his inside and consequently missing the break. Cognac appeared to be well out of his ground halfway up the straight with Luneluck still going great guns, but like a good horse, Cognac responded to Veale's urging and put the race to be inside the final 50m.

I Am Giant confirmed the Gr1 Post Merchants form as he got the better of O'Tenikwa in the A Stakes, fifth race on the card over 1200m.

King Of The Gauls