Chenille
Trish Dunell
Predictions of a Tony Pike bonanza on Karaka Million night looked right on the mark early in the piece as the Cambridge horseman provided the quinella in the first of the Ellerslie features, the Windsor Park Stud Karaka Stayers Cup (2200m).
Pike produced a strong hand with last year's Hawkes Bay Cup winner Chenille installed as a warm favourite ahead of stablemate Sacred Shot who was having just his fifth raceday start as he tackled open company for the first time
Pacemaker Woodsman set up a solid speed in front with rider Leith Innes happy to settle Chenille back on the rail as the early fireworks took place. The field finally started to bunch approaching the home turn with Innes guiding the mare away from the fence and into a striking position as they turned into the final straight. Innes said go at the 250 metre mark and the mare sprinted quickly just as Sacred Shot appeared on her outer. The pair set down to fight it out with Chenille holding a long neck margin in her favour at the post.
It was a family affair for the Pike team with parents Wayne and Vicki breeding the Pentire five-year-old as well as sharing in the ownership.
"She's really a quality mare and it's the first time we have really had her spot on this season," explained Pike.
"We had a tough run with her during the spring where she had some jarring up issues after the Waikato Cup but she was back on track after her last run here."
Pike was quick to acknowledge the work of Innes who was instrumental in the winning performance.
"She got in well at the weights and Leith gave her a great trip," he said.
"Sacred Shot's run was super as well as he just got held up a touch and probably didn't quite have as good a trip as she did. He closed the race off well and, as it was only his fifth start, he's a horse that's going places."
Vicki Pike cut a relieved figure after the contest as she revealed the future plans for the mare that she and husband Wayne produced from a mating with their mare Charmed and Rich Hill Stud sire, Pentire.
"We've bred three or four Group One winners by Pentire so we hope she can make it another one," she said.
"I was really nervous tonight as she's had a few hiccups along the way. We're going to head towards the Auckland Cup now and we think she could be a lovely type to take to Brisbane for the Cup there later in the year." – NZ Racing Desk
Pike produced a strong hand with last year's Hawkes Bay Cup winner Chenille installed as a warm favourite ahead of stablemate Sacred Shot who was having just his fifth raceday start as he tackled open company for the first time
Pacemaker Woodsman set up a solid speed in front with rider Leith Innes happy to settle Chenille back on the rail as the early fireworks took place. The field finally started to bunch approaching the home turn with Innes guiding the mare away from the fence and into a striking position as they turned into the final straight. Innes said go at the 250 metre mark and the mare sprinted quickly just as Sacred Shot appeared on her outer. The pair set down to fight it out with Chenille holding a long neck margin in her favour at the post.
It was a family affair for the Pike team with parents Wayne and Vicki breeding the Pentire five-year-old as well as sharing in the ownership.
"She's really a quality mare and it's the first time we have really had her spot on this season," explained Pike.
"We had a tough run with her during the spring where she had some jarring up issues after the Waikato Cup but she was back on track after her last run here."
Pike was quick to acknowledge the work of Innes who was instrumental in the winning performance.
"She got in well at the weights and Leith gave her a great trip," he said.
"Sacred Shot's run was super as well as he just got held up a touch and probably didn't quite have as good a trip as she did. He closed the race off well and, as it was only his fifth start, he's a horse that's going places."
Vicki Pike cut a relieved figure after the contest as she revealed the future plans for the mare that she and husband Wayne produced from a mating with their mare Charmed and Rich Hill Stud sire, Pentire.
"We've bred three or four Group One winners by Pentire so we hope she can make it another one," she said.
"I was really nervous tonight as she's had a few hiccups along the way. We're going to head towards the Auckland Cup now and we think she could be a lovely type to take to Brisbane for the Cup there later in the year." – NZ Racing Desk
