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Pike team out in force at Te Rapa

3 minute read

Cambridge Jockey Club President Tony Pike is thrilled with the quality and quantity of the fields for his club’s popular meeting at Te Rapa on Saturday.

Hollywood Lass winning the Te Aroha Liquor Mdn
Hollywood Lass winning the Te Aroha Liquor Mdn Picture: Trish Dunell

However, the Cambridge trainer was afforded no favours when the barrier draws were released, with two of his feature-race starters drawing wide.

Pike will saddle seven runners at the meeting, including Koenigsegg One and Hollywood Lass in the Gr.3 Inglis Sales Cambridge Breeders’ Stakes.

“The draws were looking good until I got to the Breeders’ Stakes,” said Pike. “Hollywood Lass has drawn 13 and Koenigsegg One, 16, so it will be very tough for them. It’s a shame as they’ve both been going well.

“Looking at the draws, it’s hard to see Xtravagant (barrier two) being beaten. Unless he runs a horror, it should be a walk in the park for him.”

Whatever the outcome, Pike believes both Hollywood Lass and Koenigsegg One have bright futures.

Hollywood Lass, a Swiss Ace filly, has impressed regular rider Leith Innes, winning two trials then cruising to victory on debut at Te Aroha by four and three-quarter lengths.

“It’s a huge step-up for her and whether she’s got the class for it we’ll see,” said Pike.

Koenigsegg One, also by Swiss Ace, is on trial for a Queensland campaign and is fresh-up, having not started since he cleared maiden ranks easily in a special conditions 1200m race on Karaka Million night in January.

He had been runner-up on debut at Taupo and he furthered his preparation for the Breeders’ Stakes when winning at the Waipa trials last week.

“His work has been good,” said Pike. “From the wide draw, we’ll have to ride him cold and let him get home. Next season he could be a star.”

Most outside interest in the Pike stable runners at Te Rapa will centre on Raghu, the New Zealand Derby placegetter who will resume in the Clubhouse Café and Sports Bar Cambridge Premier (1600m).

Raghu is being set for the Gr.1 Queensland Derby on June 11 and Pike expects to be giving him the thumbs up after Saturday’s race.

“He trialled well at Waipa last week (when second) and didn’t have any pressure put on him,” said Pike. “He had a couple of weeks off after the Derby and he thrived.”

Raghu will be reunited with Michael McNab, who missed the Derby ride through suspension. McNab rode him to win the Karaka 3YO Mile and finish second in the Waikato Guineas and third in the Avondale Guineas.

Pike will also use the Te Rapa meeting to step out his smart two-year-old Sacred Rhythm, who is unbeaten in two trials, in addition to Abaddon, Private Hero and Parker’s Piece.

“Sacred Rhythm is a promising filly and has drawn well,” said Pike. “Abaddon was unlucky last start and the step up to 1400m will help. Private Hero is just getting fit. He over-raced a bit last time so we’ve taken the blinkers off, while Parker’s Piece always runs well at Te Rapa.”
NZ Racing News

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