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Spiker has already been stakes placed at Riccarton and he is in line for a return south with a bigger prize in mind.
The Gr.1 Sothys NZ 2000 Guineas is his main goal with the three-year-old to make a low key opening to his classic preparation on his home track at Waverley on Thursday.
Spiker will resume against the older horses in the Markhams Waverley 1200 with trainer Bill Thurlow expecting a solid, if not spectacular return.“I’m happy with him and he looks like he’s coming up well, but he will improve with the run under his belt,” he said.
“It’s a stepping stone to Christchurch and, provided he goes okay, his next start is likely to be in the Ray Coupland Stakes over 1400 metres.”Spiker was a debut winner on his home track last season and at his only other appearance he finished runner-up in the Listed Champagne Stakes at Riccarton.
Thurlow has two other winning chances on Wednesday with Stumblin In (Hooper Engineering 1200) and Wildcard (Summit Electrical 1200).Stumblin In finished fourth in her first start at Hawera and she could join Spiker on the southern trip.
“It was a good run from her and she might accompany the other horse as long as she runs well at Waverley,” Thurlow said.Wildcard was below-par when unplaced in testing going at New Plymouth last time out after an encouraging third at Woodville.
“He’s probably too good a galloper for that sort of track, but he still was a bit disappointing,” Thurlow said. “He has been working well since and he’s capable of better.”