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Derby hope’s failure takes gloss off Pike’s day

3 minute read

Cambridge trainer Tony Pike celebrated a winning double on Saturday as well as the emergence of another potential Group One contender,

Sacred Rhythm winning the Oaks Prelude
Sacred Rhythm winning the Oaks Prelude Picture: Race Images Photo

He was successful with Sin To Win in the Macular Degeneration NZ 1600 at Ellerslie where he was also delighted with Sacred Way’s performance to finish runner-up in the Visique Rose Optometrists 1500.

While at New Plymouth, Pike’s best moment came when Sacred Rhythm claimed the Listed Bob Sharrock Memorial Oaks Prelude.

That would ordinarily add up to an excellent day’s work, but Pike was nonplussed by his beaten Gr.2 Retina Specialists Avondale Guineas favourite.

“It was a pretty solid day for us, but Sacred Elixir was the biggest disappointment,” he said.

“He wasn’t that far away in seventh, but he travelled into it like he should have won and he just didn’t finish off like he should have done.

“We’ve got a bit of work to do and we’ll get him checked out on Monday. Whether he runs in the Derby or not, we’ll have to see closer to the time.”

Sacred Rhythm did end the stable’s day on a good note when she overcame a wide run to show she has a bright future over ground.

“It was only her third start and last time on Karaka Million night her saddle slipped and she got back and in all sorts of trouble,” Pike said.

“She kept closing today and she’s got plenty of staying potential – whether she gets to the Oaks or not I’m not sure. She’s not nominated, but More Than Sacred was a late nomination and she won it for us.

“If not, then Brisbane is an option and Sacred Way looks a definite Queensland Derby horse as well.”
NZ Racing News

New Plymouth Raceway

Saturday, 18th February 2017

7
16:09
(local)

Oaks Prelude (LR)

Age: 3yo Sex: F Type: OPEN
NZD $50,000
1800m TURF HEAVY
7
16:09
(local)
NZD $50,000
1800m HEAVY

Oaks Prelude (LR)

Age: 3yo Sex: F Type: OPEN

This Listed 3yo filly 1800m race had no depth outside a handful of runners and to make matters worse the track was biased and tricky, so some Oaks campaigns may be in jeopardy as a result. Sacred Rhythm at just her third start sat back and wide, so was in the superior lanes, and came up deeper near the home turn before outstaying them to win by three-quarters of a length in 1:55.50, The time was about eleven lengths inferior to the G3 Open Handicap for older horses held the race before this. Date Night and Storytime had been Group placed this season so no surprise they finished second and third in this. The former sat fourth then moved closer before the home turn while the latter sat second then took over suddenly at the 500m and tried to pinch it a long way from home. She was collared with more than 100m to go so went a tad too soon it seems. Vencedora was a reasonable fourth and the maiden Imogensmiles was okay for fifth and should win a race back in her proper grade. Korakonui and Princess Sapphire were not too bad but the rest were beaten big margins and either cannot stay or cope in the wet footing. Sacred Rhythm has that will to win so surprisingly is not nominated for the G1 NZ Oaks so maybe going to chase bigger prize money and more valuable blacktype in Australia this autumn and winter, whether that be Sydney or the easier depth of Queensland. Date Night, Storytime and Vencedora plus Princess Sapphire are the only four you could take out of the field as Oaks hopes.



FP Horse, Age & Sex
Sire & Dam
Jockey
Trainer
SP
WT
1st 7. SACRED RHYTHM (NZ) 3yo F
PENTIRE (GB) - BLUEGRASS (AUS)
VINNIE COLGAN
TONY PIKE
$5.2
56.5kg
Raffles Racing

Sales Information

2nd 2. DATE NIGHT (NZ) 3yo F
SAVABEEL (AUS) - DATING (NZ)
LISA ALLPRESS
TEAM ROGERSON
$4.5
56.5kg
Waikato Stud Ltd
3rd 1. STORYTIME (NZ) 3yo F
SAVABEEL (AUS) - AUTHORESS (AUS)
R J MYERS
J J & E RAYNER
$3.7
56.5kg
Duncan Equine Partnership

Sales Information

4th 8. VENCEDORA (NZ) 3yo F
EKRAAR (USA) - DARKNESS (NZ)
TRUDY THORNTON
JOHN WHEELER
$28.8
56.5kg
5th 11. IMOGENSMILES (NZ) 3yo F
SUFFICIENT (NZ) - EMLAJAY (NZ)
LYNSEY SATHERLEY
JANENNE DALLEY
$23.5
56.5kg

Sales Information

6th 5. KORAKONUI (AUS) 3yo F
ALL AMERICAN (AUS) - RIDDLING (AUS)
KELLY MYERS
RALPH MANNING
$8.8
56.5kg

Sales Information

7th 10. PRINCESS SAPPHIRE (NZ) 3yo F
SAVABEEL (AUS) - SAPPHIRE BELLE (NZ)
SHAUN M MC KAY
MURRAY BAKER & ANDREW FORSMAN
$9.1
56.5kg
8th 12. IT'S PANDEMONIUM (NZ) 3yo F
RED GIANT (USA) - JULEZ (AUS)
ROBERT HANNAM
BRYCE REVELL
$17
56.5kg
9th 6. EVA GODIVA (AUS) 3yo F
REDOUTE'S CHOICE (AUS) - GUSSY GODIVA (NZ)
DYLAN TURNER
MURRAY BAKER & ANDREW FORSMAN
$12.1
56.5kg
10th 9. LADY SHABEEL (NZ) 3yo F
HOWBADDOUWANTIT (USA) - NO TOLERANCE (NZ)
BRENDAN HUTTON
IAIN KENNEDY
$15.2
56.5kg

Sales Information

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