Rangipo
Trish Dunell
Cambridge trainer Tony Pike will continue to press his claims for a first New Zealand Derby win when he produces the in-form three-year-old pair of Rangipo and Raghu in Saturday's Gr.2 Darci Brahma Waikato Guineas (2000m) at Te Rapa on Saturday.
Pike, who also has talented filly Provocative in Derby calculations, has a good opinion of both his Guineas runners, who step up to a middle distance for the first time this weekend.
Both Rangipo and Raghu have feature wins to their credit in recent starts and go into the race as strong chances despite drawing awkward gates in barriers 14 and 16 respectively.
"The barrier draws aren't great. It will make it a bit tough but we'll probably ride them both positively, though I have yet to do my speed map for the race to completely decide tactics," Pike said.
"Raghu is an on-pace runner so we'll press forward with him regardless and Rangipo usually races forward as well but I will just check my speed map before making any plans with him."
Stryker gelding Rangipo has won four of his nine starts, including a commanding win over Guineas rival Get That Jive and subsequent Gr.1 Levin Classic winner Dukedom in the Gr.2 Great Northern Guineas (1600m) at Ellerslie on Boxing Day before a gritty last-start third to Dukedom in the Levin Classic (1600m) at Trentham.
"He might have been a bit hesitant amongst runners at Trentham. He got shuffled up a bit approaching the turn but he ran home really well. He's flying at the moment - his trackwork has been superb," Pike said.
Showcasing colt Raghu produced a career-best win in the Listed NZB Karaka 3yo Mile at Ellerslie last start, beating Waikato Guineas rivals It's Ben Again and Tavago.
"Raghu has really improved and he's still improving. He did get a soft lead at Ellerslie but he was still there to be run down and he fought resolutely. He's come through the run well and we haven't had to do a lot with him ahead of this one," Pike said.
Pike, who produced Historian to finish third in the 2011 Waikato Guineas before running second to Jimmy Choux in the New Zealand Derby that year, was loathe to split his pair, though he conceded Rangipo had "a bit more class".
"There's not a lot between them and they both look like they will get 2000m all right," he said.
Pike will also produce Parker's Piece, Chenille and Amalfi on the Te Rapa undercard, reporting all had prepared well for their assignments. - NZ Racing Desk.
Pike, who also has talented filly Provocative in Derby calculations, has a good opinion of both his Guineas runners, who step up to a middle distance for the first time this weekend.
Both Rangipo and Raghu have feature wins to their credit in recent starts and go into the race as strong chances despite drawing awkward gates in barriers 14 and 16 respectively.
"The barrier draws aren't great. It will make it a bit tough but we'll probably ride them both positively, though I have yet to do my speed map for the race to completely decide tactics," Pike said.
"Raghu is an on-pace runner so we'll press forward with him regardless and Rangipo usually races forward as well but I will just check my speed map before making any plans with him."
Stryker gelding Rangipo has won four of his nine starts, including a commanding win over Guineas rival Get That Jive and subsequent Gr.1 Levin Classic winner Dukedom in the Gr.2 Great Northern Guineas (1600m) at Ellerslie on Boxing Day before a gritty last-start third to Dukedom in the Levin Classic (1600m) at Trentham.
"He might have been a bit hesitant amongst runners at Trentham. He got shuffled up a bit approaching the turn but he ran home really well. He's flying at the moment - his trackwork has been superb," Pike said.
Showcasing colt Raghu produced a career-best win in the Listed NZB Karaka 3yo Mile at Ellerslie last start, beating Waikato Guineas rivals It's Ben Again and Tavago.
"Raghu has really improved and he's still improving. He did get a soft lead at Ellerslie but he was still there to be run down and he fought resolutely. He's come through the run well and we haven't had to do a lot with him ahead of this one," Pike said.
Pike, who produced Historian to finish third in the 2011 Waikato Guineas before running second to Jimmy Choux in the New Zealand Derby that year, was loathe to split his pair, though he conceded Rangipo had "a bit more class".
"There's not a lot between them and they both look like they will get 2000m all right," he said.
Pike will also produce Parker's Piece, Chenille and Amalfi on the Te Rapa undercard, reporting all had prepared well for their assignments. - NZ Racing Desk.