He was delighted that Mr Piccolo gave his mother Jane Steer her first success as a trainer in a metropolitan class event.
Mr Piccolo, the $4.30 second fancy, started fast from barrier six before 19-year-old Elliott sent the seven-year-old WA-bred gelding across to enjoy an ideal seat in the one-out, one-back position before charging forward to hit the front on the home bend en route to victory 10 meters from the fast-finishing Jingling Jewels ($31), while the $3.60 favorite Grevis headed home from well back stormed and finished third.
This was Mister Piccolo’s first win in eleven months and ended a losing streak of 14. The son of American sire Betterthancheddar is owned by Steer, her partner Wade Hunter and her youngest son Kody, and he has proven to be an excellent buy.
Jane Steer, 40, has held a trainer’s license since 2019 and has had great success with Mister Piccolo and Ya Bettor Followme, pacers who she said she was lucky enough to purchase from the stables of veteran trainer Colin Brown, without spending a single dollar and with the agreement that she would pay the former owners the first stake of that horse’s first victories.
Remarkably, Ya Bettor Followme and Mister Piccolo each won on their first start for their new trainer. Ya Bettor Followme had $21 odds when he won at Kellerberrin on October 1, 2022, earning the first prize money of $3,178.
Mr Piccolo had a $12 chance when he won on his first start ahead of Ms Steer and earned $4993 when he was successful at Narrogin on May 20, 2023.
Ya Bettor Followme has ridden 67 times for Ms Steer for ten wins, 18 placings and $76,911, with Mister Piccolo’s 52 starts for his new stable bringing nine wins, 14 placings and $72,456. They have been excellent for Ms Steer, who generally employs two pacers, while also working full-time as a lender for Bendigo Bank, alternating between the bank’s offices in Toodyay and Northam.
Mister Piccolo is the second foal out of the unraced Sutter Hanover mare Imogen, a half-sister to eleven winners of 91 races, including Soho Jackman, who raced 123 times for 32 wins, 33 placings and $368,278 in prize money. Imogen’s first foal is Tumblin Dice, who has had 89 starts for ten wins, 22 placings and $88,011 in stakes.
Mrs. Steer continues a long family tradition of racing. She is the daughter of former Narrogin trainer Les Steer and the granddaughter of former prominent Standardbred breeder Bill Steer.
For full race results, click here.
Through Ken Casellasfor Gloucester Park
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