Tony Pike tightened his grip on the Gr.2 Hawke’s Bay Guineas (1400m) when he produced Haussmann for an emphatic lead-up victory at Hastings on Saturday.
The Cambridge trainer is blessed with depth and quality in the second season ranks and he is planning to have four runners in the Sacred Falls-sponsored feature on October 7.
Successful in the Listed Great Northern Foal Stakes (1400m) last season, Haussmann resumed following a four month break to post a hollow victory in the Windsor Park Stud (1100m).
It was an appropriate victory as the sponsors are involved in the gelding’s ownership and formerly stood his sire Pour Moi.“That was a great return,” Pike said. “He came in without a trial so there was a bit of a concern about the wet track, but he was very good.”
Haussmann settled toward the back of the field before rider Leith Innes angled him into the clear near the turn and he let down strongly in the run home to surge past his rivals. Jimmy Lincoln ran on well for second with Cousteau wilting to third after hitting the front early in the straight.“We had it sewn up a long way out,” Innes said. “They went hard up front and he relaxed well.”
He had partnered the unbeaten Bostonian to win the Listed El Roca-Sir Colin Meads Trophy (1200m) on the opening day of the Hastings carnival and will face a difficult decision before settling on his Hawke’s Bay Guineas ride.“Hopefully, I can wait until the barrier draws come out,” Innes said.
Pike was also satisfied with Haussmann’s stablemate Sacred Rebel, who finished fifth.“We knew he would struggle after the overnight rain and back on a good track he’ll be hard to beat,” he said.
