Pierata's owners knocked back a $1m offer and Warwick Farm trainer Greg Hickman thinks the colt can potentially win more than that over the Queensland summer carnival.
There have been several offers for the Pierro colt, the most recent coming after his hugely impressive trial win at Randwick earlier this month.
Pierata was seen during the Queensland winter carnival, running third behind Melody Belle in the Group II Sires Produce and seventh when beaten only two lengths in the Group I JJ Atkins.
Hickman, who owns a share in Pierata, insists the colt has now gone to a new level and Queensland summer riches are a big incentive.
A $160,000 Magic Millions purchase, Pierata will resume in Saturday's Winning Rupert Plate (1200m) at Doomben, in the first part of a plan which Hickman hopes will net a $500,000 summer crown bonus for winning any three of five designated 3YO races.
Melbourne Cup-winning jockey Corey Brown will ride Pierata on Saturday and Hickman is confident about reaping riches during the summer 3YO series which includes races like the Gold Edition Plate, the Vo Rogue Plate and the $2m 3YO Magic Millions Guineas.
"We have already knocked back a million dollars for him but he could be running for more than that in Queensland this summer," Hickman said.
"He is a horse who has improved lengths on his first preparation.
"He was a little immature earlier so I just took him along quietly but now he will keep improving and improving.
"I couldn't train him too hard early on because I had to look after him but now I can train him how I want because he can handle the work.
"He is ready to do it this preparation and we are certainly going to come away with something up here (in Queensland)."
Hickman said Pierata has arrived in Queensland last weekend and showed he was on track with a good piece of work on the Gold Coast on Tuesday.
The trainer thinks 1200m suits the colt well but believes he will run over longer distances as he matures, flagging that he could even be back in the Sunshine State for the Group I Queensland Derby (2400m) next winter.
Pierata has drawn barrier one at Doomben on Saturday and Hickman says his only question mark has been if leaving the blinkers on would be the right move.
"If I have a negative about anything, it is leaving the blinkers on, I have been second guessing myself a little bit about that," Hickman said.
Heavy rain in Queensland on Wednesday has not fazed Hickman about Pierata's chances as he feels the Doomben track will dry significantly before Saturday.
Pierro has had a hot run in recent months and is now the leading Australian Second Crop sire by earnings and stakes-winners with four on the board - Pinot, Levendi, Satin Slipper and Kentucky Breeze.
