Sacred Elixir
Darryl Sherer
Tony Pike wasn't expecting Sacred Elixir's first-up victory, but he certainly won't be surprised if the three-year-old reigns supreme again on Saturday.
The Cambridge trainer has been delighted with the gelding's progress since his Gr.3 Caulfield Guineas Prelude win and he is quietly confident of their chances in the $A1 million Gr.1 Caulfield Guineas.
"It looks like he's going to get every possible chance this weekend," Pike said.
"He's got the perfect barrier (7) and his work on Tuesday morning was really good for him. He's eating well and is nice and sound.
"He worked solo and it was the most professional he's been since arriving in Melbourne. He had worked left-handed at home, but had two jump-outs at Flemington and was quite awkward getting around the corner.
"But he's becoming more used to the left hand way of going now and learning all the time. He's been a lot better this week. He's beaten the best Melbourne colts over 1400m and he will be better over a mile.
"He has to meet the good Sydney colts as well this week, but given luck in the running we would be disappointed if he couldn't run in the top three."
Sacred Elixir is still a Cox Plate entrant, but he would need to be a dominant winner on Saturday for it to remain a viable option.
He is more likely to take on the three-year-olds in the Gr.2 AAMI Vase on the same day in preparation for the $A1.5 million Gr.1 Victoria Derby. – NZ Racing Desk.
The Cambridge trainer has been delighted with the gelding's progress since his Gr.3 Caulfield Guineas Prelude win and he is quietly confident of their chances in the $A1 million Gr.1 Caulfield Guineas.
"It looks like he's going to get every possible chance this weekend," Pike said.
"He's got the perfect barrier (7) and his work on Tuesday morning was really good for him. He's eating well and is nice and sound.
"He worked solo and it was the most professional he's been since arriving in Melbourne. He had worked left-handed at home, but had two jump-outs at Flemington and was quite awkward getting around the corner.
"But he's becoming more used to the left hand way of going now and learning all the time. He's been a lot better this week. He's beaten the best Melbourne colts over 1400m and he will be better over a mile.
"He has to meet the good Sydney colts as well this week, but given luck in the running we would be disappointed if he couldn't run in the top three."
Sacred Elixir is still a Cox Plate entrant, but he would need to be a dominant winner on Saturday for it to remain a viable option.
He is more likely to take on the three-year-olds in the Gr.2 AAMI Vase on the same day in preparation for the $A1.5 million Gr.1 Victoria Derby. – NZ Racing Desk.
