Cambridge conditioner Tony Pike has two big chances in the Listed El Roca - Sir Colin Meads Trophy (1200m) at Hastings on Saturday with his unbeaten three-year-olds Bostonian and Sacred Rebel.
“They should both go well,” Pike said. “Obviously everyone has been held up with the weather and they will probably improve a touch with the run.
“They have both been to Te Rapa for a solid jump out about three weeks ago, so they are definitely forward enough.”
The stablemates have had differing luck with the draw, with Bostonian drawing barrier four while Sacred Rebel has drawn 12. Pike said Sacred Rebel is the more forward of the two, but the barrier will significantly help Bostonian.
“He (Sacred Rebel) only had a fortnight out after he won at Te Rapa so he has a lot of base fitness. But the barrier draw is going to level that out a fair bit.
“Being first-up and with bigger races in mind it is likely we’ll ride him a touch conservatively and we’ll go from there. But they are both pretty talented three-year-olds and both should run really well.”
The Listed race has drawn a solid field including fellow unbeaten three-year-olds Getty and Griffin. But Pike believes the Stephen Marsh-trained Sophie’s Choice, who was part-owned by Sir Colin Meads, will be one of the main dangers in the race.
“She’s had a race this time in and will be very fit for this race and was very impressive at Ruakaka in a lesser race,” he said. “She will be extremely hard to beat.
“The race has just been upgraded to a Listed race and the field affirms the quality of the race.”
Being a set weight and penalties race, Pike said it does make it tough for some three-year-olds who have performed well as juveniles, but thinks it has assisted in the strength of the race.
“Felton Road has won three races and would have carried 59.5kg had he run. So, it does make it tough, but at the end of the day the other stakes races going around are at set weights for three-year-olds.
“I think that is something they are going to look at next season, but the set weights and penalties is probably the reason why the race has been so strong over the past few seasons.”
The stablemates are both being set for the Gr.1 Albasti Equiworld 2000 Guineas in Christchurch in November and Pike said their itinerary leading into that race will be decided after Saturday.
Meanwhile, Pike will line-up Rangipo in the feature race at Hastings on Saturday, the Gr.1 Tarzino Trophy over 1400m.
The Gr.1 New Zealand Derby winner finished back in the field in the Gr.2 Lisa Chittick Foxbridge Plate at Te Rapa in his last start, but Pike was happy with the run.
“He was a bit fractious in the gate and missed the kick, but travelled very well throughout the run,” he said.
“He was going really well coming into the corner, but just got held up for the majority of the home straight. He only ran tenth, but it was actually a lot better run than it looked.
“He has drawn the carpark (barrier 20) which will make things very difficult for him, but I am really happy with the way he is going.
“He’ll strip a lot fitter on Saturday, but he’ll be better once he gets to the mile (Gr.1 Windsor Park Plate).
The first day of the Hawke’s Bay spring carnival will see the continuation of the Daffodil Day initiative, which aims to raise funds for the Cancer Society. It is a cause that is close to Pike’s heart as his father Wayne is currently fighting oesophageal cancer.
“It’s a great cause and hopefully everyone gets in behind it,” he said. “If I’m lucky to win any stake money down there I will donate half of my percentages to the Cancer Society.”
