Chenille
Trish Dunell
Touted as a potential Cups contender after a promising three-year-old season, the Tony Pike trained Chenille put her first win on the board in this campaign with an impressive performance at Matamata on Saturday.
The now four-year-old Pentire mare ended a frustrating run of minor placings this summer with an emphatic performance that saw her outclass her rating 75 rivals in the concluding stages of the Mills Reef Winery sponsored 2000 metre contest.
For trainer Tony Pike it was the confirmation he needed to press forward towards some bigger prizes over the next few weeks.
"She has been fairly unlucky in this preparation due to the tempo of the races she has contested," he explained.
"Her run at Te Rapa where she was beaten a nose by Bordeaux was a classic example where they just cantered and then sprinted home which is just not her go. She is a genuine stayer who needs the pace on in her races.
"It was fairly slow on Saturday as well but I think she was the best horse in the race and showed that over the last piece of the race."
Pike will now look at a possible tilt at the Listed New Zealand St. Leger (2500m) on the 19th of March with the Listed Hawke's Bay Gold Cup (2200m) in April another option.
"I think the St Leger at Trentham will suit with the big roomy track," he said.
"She was only just beaten by Bordeaux and he is likely to start favourite there so I think she would be a genuine contender."
Pike is also gearing up for a massive fortnight for his Cambridge barn with three well fancied runners in Rangipo, Raghu and Provocative set to contest the Gr. 1 BMW New Zealand Derby this weekend while a week later he will saddle up Avondale Cup winner Sacred Master as favourite in the Gr. 1 Barfoot & Thompson Auckland Cup.
"Everything is on target at this stage with the pressure sure to intensify as we get closer to raceday," he said.
"The Derby horses had a nice trot and canter on Saturday while Sacred Master galloped in fine style as well. We will also have Sacred Star in the Darley Plate on Derby Day so it's going to be a pretty big week for us all." – NZ Racing Desk
The now four-year-old Pentire mare ended a frustrating run of minor placings this summer with an emphatic performance that saw her outclass her rating 75 rivals in the concluding stages of the Mills Reef Winery sponsored 2000 metre contest.
For trainer Tony Pike it was the confirmation he needed to press forward towards some bigger prizes over the next few weeks.
"She has been fairly unlucky in this preparation due to the tempo of the races she has contested," he explained.
"Her run at Te Rapa where she was beaten a nose by Bordeaux was a classic example where they just cantered and then sprinted home which is just not her go. She is a genuine stayer who needs the pace on in her races.
"It was fairly slow on Saturday as well but I think she was the best horse in the race and showed that over the last piece of the race."
Pike will now look at a possible tilt at the Listed New Zealand St. Leger (2500m) on the 19th of March with the Listed Hawke's Bay Gold Cup (2200m) in April another option.
"I think the St Leger at Trentham will suit with the big roomy track," he said.
"She was only just beaten by Bordeaux and he is likely to start favourite there so I think she would be a genuine contender."
Pike is also gearing up for a massive fortnight for his Cambridge barn with three well fancied runners in Rangipo, Raghu and Provocative set to contest the Gr. 1 BMW New Zealand Derby this weekend while a week later he will saddle up Avondale Cup winner Sacred Master as favourite in the Gr. 1 Barfoot & Thompson Auckland Cup.
"Everything is on target at this stage with the pressure sure to intensify as we get closer to raceday," he said.
"The Derby horses had a nice trot and canter on Saturday while Sacred Master galloped in fine style as well. We will also have Sacred Star in the Darley Plate on Derby Day so it's going to be a pretty big week for us all." – NZ Racing Desk