Snowdrop wins at Trentham over 1200m
Photo: Trish Dunell
Visiting Cambridge trainer Tony Pike got his day started well at Trentham on Saturday when he produced an early winning double however from there his fortunes plummeted as the persistent showers put paid to his chances in the major race of the day.
Promising four-year-old mare Snowdrop delivered for favourite punters when she triumphed under the steadier of 58.5 kilograms over 1200 metres in the day's opening event while four races later former Hong Kong galloper Flying Ibis delivered his first New Zealand victory with a storming late run to capture race five on the card.
From there things began to deteriorate for the stable despite Rangipo putting in a gutsy effort to finish third in the Gr. 1 Levin Classic. Pike had been confident of a bold performance from race favourite Sacred Star and stablemate Allez Eagle in the Gr. 1 JR & N Berkett Telegraph however both struggled on the tricky surface which was by then bordering on slow after persistent showers during the day.
"We were riding high after the early races but I knew we were in trouble when we kept getting rain as both of mine are no good when the track gets like that," noted Pike.
"Sacred Star showed that in the Railway Stakes at Ellerslie when it rained so I wasn't that surprised to see him finish mid-field although he also threw a shoe during the race which didn't help.
"Allez Eagle possibly should have run a little closer to the speed which may have helped him but we tried to take some cover which didn't work and he ended getting caught in the sticky stuff which he didn't really like and dropped away.
"That's racing I'm afraid so I'm hopeful they can bounce back once they strike a better track."
Pike was however thrilled by the runs of both Snowdrop and Flying Ibis who he believes will continue to improve off the back of their trip away.
"Snowdrop has been a model of consistency throughout this campaign and it was a very gutsy win by her," he said.
"There's not much of her so to carry a big weight and win like she did augurs very well for the future. We will continue to take her through the grades but as she strengthens up more I think she will measure up in good company.
"She relaxes so nicely in her races she can race just about anywhere although at the moment she is probably best kept to 1200 metres. She may get further in the future but while she is going so well over a sprint trip then that's where we will concentrate with her.
"Flying Ibis has got progressively better and he does possess a very strong finishing sprint. He got the race run to suit and finished off nicely so I can see him progressing through the grades as well." - NZ Racing Desk
Promising four-year-old mare Snowdrop delivered for favourite punters when she triumphed under the steadier of 58.5 kilograms over 1200 metres in the day's opening event while four races later former Hong Kong galloper Flying Ibis delivered his first New Zealand victory with a storming late run to capture race five on the card.
From there things began to deteriorate for the stable despite Rangipo putting in a gutsy effort to finish third in the Gr. 1 Levin Classic. Pike had been confident of a bold performance from race favourite Sacred Star and stablemate Allez Eagle in the Gr. 1 JR & N Berkett Telegraph however both struggled on the tricky surface which was by then bordering on slow after persistent showers during the day.
"We were riding high after the early races but I knew we were in trouble when we kept getting rain as both of mine are no good when the track gets like that," noted Pike.
"Sacred Star showed that in the Railway Stakes at Ellerslie when it rained so I wasn't that surprised to see him finish mid-field although he also threw a shoe during the race which didn't help.
"Allez Eagle possibly should have run a little closer to the speed which may have helped him but we tried to take some cover which didn't work and he ended getting caught in the sticky stuff which he didn't really like and dropped away.
"That's racing I'm afraid so I'm hopeful they can bounce back once they strike a better track."
Pike was however thrilled by the runs of both Snowdrop and Flying Ibis who he believes will continue to improve off the back of their trip away.
"Snowdrop has been a model of consistency throughout this campaign and it was a very gutsy win by her," he said.
"There's not much of her so to carry a big weight and win like she did augurs very well for the future. We will continue to take her through the grades but as she strengthens up more I think she will measure up in good company.
"She relaxes so nicely in her races she can race just about anywhere although at the moment she is probably best kept to 1200 metres. She may get further in the future but while she is going so well over a sprint trip then that's where we will concentrate with her.
"Flying Ibis has got progressively better and he does possess a very strong finishing sprint. He got the race run to suit and finished off nicely so I can see him progressing through the grades as well." - NZ Racing Desk