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Striking three-year-old Huka Eagle wasn’t unduly fazed by his first appearance at New Zealand racing headquarters when he defeated a handy line-up of three-year-olds at Ellerslie on Saturday.

The son of Westbury Stud based stallion Swiss Ace kept his unbeaten record by leading all-the-way over 1200 metres to defeat promising fillies Bonniegirl and Cherry Vain although not before giving trainer Tony Pike a few worries during the running.

“There aren’t many who go to Ellerslie and win at their first look at the track so it was a top effort that will also do him the world of good in the future,” reported Pike.

“He got lost between the 600 metre mark and the home turn and then he waited for them a bit in the straight so to hold out what was a very handy field showed he has plenty of ticker and a bright future I hope.”

Pike has his eye on the Listed New Zealand Bloodstock Karaka Mile in late January for his charge so will now frame a schedule to get him there in peak condition.

“He was Karaka Million nominated so is eligible for the three-year-old mile they run on that night so that’s his main aim at this stage,” he said.

“There are some nice three-year-old races in the lead-up to that race so that’s where he will most likely be seen next.”

Pike also reported the smart Vinnie Eagle, who races in the same ownership as Huka Eagle, was cherry ripe for his tilt at the Gr. 3 James & Annie Sarten Memorial at Te Rapa on Monday.

“Nothing went right for him first-up at Taupo but he bounced back at Te Rapa last time and he has come on nicely since then, “he said.

“He meets some very nice horses on Monday but they will know he is in the race.”