Skyweka
Trish Dunell
A stunning win by progressive mare Skyweka was the highlight of a somewhat topsy-turvy day at the office for Cambridge trainer Tony Pike on Saturday.
Pike saddled up six runners at Te Rapa for a win and two minor placings however the unplaced performance of beaten favourite Chenille in the Gr. 3 SKYCITY Hamilton Waikato Cup left him feeling a little perplexed.
"I'm not quite sure what to make of Chenille's run," he admitted.
"She got a decent buffering in the straight the first time around and lost a plate but she never really fired which was disappointing as I was confident of a big run.
"We'll have her checked out thoroughly but if everything is okay we will press on to the City Of Auckland Cup on New Year's Day."
There was no hiding Pike's delight with the victory by Skyweka who he believes has the ability to go on to stakes company at her next start.
"She is a very good mare and to win against the pattern of the day was a super effort," he said.
"She has a lethal sprint when she gets wound up although when we were five lengths off the leader at the 300 metre mark on Saturday I thought we were settling for a minor placing.
"She just found that next gear and gathered him up comfortably in the end so we will lift our sights with her now.
"Hopefully that can sneak us in to the Rich Hill Mile at Ellerslie on New Year's Day. She would be well positioned in the weights and I think she is definitely up to a challenge like that."
Pike also confirmed Sacred Empire, who finished fourth when favourite in Saturday's Dunstan Feeds Premier 2400, would continue on to the final of the Dunstan Feeds Stayers Championship at Ellerslie.
Meanwhile stable star Sacred Elixir has been back in work for just on a fortnight and is set to trial at Te Teko on 17 January before resuming in the Listed NZB Karaka Mile at Ellerslie a fortnight later. – NZ Racing Desk
Pike saddled up six runners at Te Rapa for a win and two minor placings however the unplaced performance of beaten favourite Chenille in the Gr. 3 SKYCITY Hamilton Waikato Cup left him feeling a little perplexed.
"I'm not quite sure what to make of Chenille's run," he admitted.
"She got a decent buffering in the straight the first time around and lost a plate but she never really fired which was disappointing as I was confident of a big run.
"We'll have her checked out thoroughly but if everything is okay we will press on to the City Of Auckland Cup on New Year's Day."
There was no hiding Pike's delight with the victory by Skyweka who he believes has the ability to go on to stakes company at her next start.
"She is a very good mare and to win against the pattern of the day was a super effort," he said.
"She has a lethal sprint when she gets wound up although when we were five lengths off the leader at the 300 metre mark on Saturday I thought we were settling for a minor placing.
"She just found that next gear and gathered him up comfortably in the end so we will lift our sights with her now.
"Hopefully that can sneak us in to the Rich Hill Mile at Ellerslie on New Year's Day. She would be well positioned in the weights and I think she is definitely up to a challenge like that."
Pike also confirmed Sacred Empire, who finished fourth when favourite in Saturday's Dunstan Feeds Premier 2400, would continue on to the final of the Dunstan Feeds Stayers Championship at Ellerslie.
Meanwhile stable star Sacred Elixir has been back in work for just on a fortnight and is set to trial at Te Teko on 17 January before resuming in the Listed NZB Karaka Mile at Ellerslie a fortnight later. – NZ Racing Desk
