Sacred Elixir
Bruno Cannatelli
Top three-year-old Sacred Elixir is making smooth progress in his build-up toward another Group One title.
"He had his first gallop last Saturday morning and he's coming up super, I couldn't be happier with him," Cambridge trainer Tony Pike said.
"He looks great and we'll just keep him ticking over until the Karaka 3YO Mile."
Successful in last season's Gr.1 J. J. Atkins at Eagle Farm, Sacred Elixir has this term added the Gr.2 Moonee Valley Vase and the Gr.3 Caulfield Guineas Prelude to his winning tally.
He also finished runner-up in the Gr.1 VRC Derby at Flemington before he signed off for the spring.
The son of Pour Moi has the $1 million Gr.1 Vodafone New Zealand Derby as the final target of his classic season and he is likely to take in the Gr.2 Avondale Guineas a fortnight before the Ellerslie feature on March 4.
Meanwhile, Sacred Elixir's well-related stablemate Eight Points will be out to make the most of an opportunity at Tauranga on Wednesday to add to her winning record.
The daughter of Pins and Eight Carat's grand-daughter Markisa will step out in the Laser Electrical Tauranga 1200.
"She's in foal to Shocking," Pike said. "She's a handy mare, but she over-raced at Hawke's Bay and pulled herself into the ground.
"She's got an awkward draw and if we can ride her a touch quieter and get some cover then she can be very competitive."
Eight Points, who will be partnered by Leith Innes, has three wins and three placings from her 11 appearances. – NZ Racing Desk.
"He had his first gallop last Saturday morning and he's coming up super, I couldn't be happier with him," Cambridge trainer Tony Pike said.
"He looks great and we'll just keep him ticking over until the Karaka 3YO Mile."
Successful in last season's Gr.1 J. J. Atkins at Eagle Farm, Sacred Elixir has this term added the Gr.2 Moonee Valley Vase and the Gr.3 Caulfield Guineas Prelude to his winning tally.
He also finished runner-up in the Gr.1 VRC Derby at Flemington before he signed off for the spring.
The son of Pour Moi has the $1 million Gr.1 Vodafone New Zealand Derby as the final target of his classic season and he is likely to take in the Gr.2 Avondale Guineas a fortnight before the Ellerslie feature on March 4.
Meanwhile, Sacred Elixir's well-related stablemate Eight Points will be out to make the most of an opportunity at Tauranga on Wednesday to add to her winning record.
The daughter of Pins and Eight Carat's grand-daughter Markisa will step out in the Laser Electrical Tauranga 1200.
"She's in foal to Shocking," Pike said. "She's a handy mare, but she over-raced at Hawke's Bay and pulled herself into the ground.
"She's got an awkward draw and if we can ride her a touch quieter and get some cover then she can be very competitive."
Eight Points, who will be partnered by Leith Innes, has three wins and three placings from her 11 appearances. – NZ Racing Desk.
