Pike eyes Group prize for speedy Boodles

Precocious youngster Boodles kept his unbeaten record intact at Trentham to earn himself a crack at a central districts black type feature.

The Cambridge juvenile was a runaway winner on debut at New Plymouth last month and he was again untested in Saturday’s Vernon and Vazey 2YO Premier.

“He’s always showed a lot at home and off one barrier trial into Taranaki he did it pretty well,” trainer Tony Pike said.

The Cambridge horseman is now looking at a return trip to the Pukekura Raceway with Boodles for the Phoenix Park 2YO Classic on February 14.

“He’s put two together and was very dominant again so we’ll look at the Group Three for him,” Pike said.

Boodles crossed a small field quickly from the gate to lead and when rider Darryl Bradley asked him to lengthen stride 200 metres from home the contest was quickly over.

“He got a bit lost over the crossing and changed legs so there’s still plenty of improvement in him,” Pike said.

Boodles was untouched to beat the Graeme and Debbie Rogerson’s debutant Savason, a $300,000 Ready to Run Sale purchase in November.

“He’s such a natural two-year-old and he’s got a lot of speed,” Bradley said. “He’s only a little horse, but he’s got a huge stride.”

A son of Showcasing, Boodles is raced by Pike’s parents Wayne and Vicki, who bred the gelding out of their winning Bertolini mare Molly’s Dolly.

They will offer a brother to their undefeated youngster under their Longlands Stud banner during the Select Sale at Karaka later this month.