Rangipo
Trish Dunell
Serial thriller Rangipo saved his best for last when he closed out a remarkable campaign with a thrilling victory in the Gr.1 BMW New Zealand Derby at Ellerslie.
It was the seventh success of his three-year-old preparation, which featured Group Two wins in the Great Northern, Waikato and Avondale Guineas and a Group One placing in the Levin Classic in the lead-up to Saturday's classic triumph.
"It's a great thrill – it's one of the classics and I've won a 2000 Guineas (Sacred Falls), an Oaks (More Than Sacred) and now the Derby so I've got the treble," Pike said.
"It's such a hard race to win and you've got to keep them sound while giving them a fair bit of racing."
While it was a first Derby for Pike, Rangipo credited his regular rider Vinnie Colgan with his sixth after past wins with Roysyn (1995), Zonda (1997), Hades (1999), Redoute's Dancer (2007) and Habibi (2013).
Colgan kept the gelding within easy reach of the pace and, as has been a trademark of his performances, he hit the front in the run home and wasn't to be denied.
"I had to use him a bit early, but I knew I had to do that to get where I wanted to be and once we got a position he switched off and travelled well," Colgan said.
"He was off the bridle a bit on the turn and I was worried, but he really showed his determination and he just keeps going."
What's The Story rattled home along the fence to run Rangipo to a short head with the winner's stablemate Raghu turning in another courageous run for third ahead of the fillies Capella and Valley Girl. – NZ Racing Desk.
It was the seventh success of his three-year-old preparation, which featured Group Two wins in the Great Northern, Waikato and Avondale Guineas and a Group One placing in the Levin Classic in the lead-up to Saturday's classic triumph.
"It's a great thrill – it's one of the classics and I've won a 2000 Guineas (Sacred Falls), an Oaks (More Than Sacred) and now the Derby so I've got the treble," Pike said.
"It's such a hard race to win and you've got to keep them sound while giving them a fair bit of racing."
While it was a first Derby for Pike, Rangipo credited his regular rider Vinnie Colgan with his sixth after past wins with Roysyn (1995), Zonda (1997), Hades (1999), Redoute's Dancer (2007) and Habibi (2013).
Colgan kept the gelding within easy reach of the pace and, as has been a trademark of his performances, he hit the front in the run home and wasn't to be denied.
"I had to use him a bit early, but I knew I had to do that to get where I wanted to be and once we got a position he switched off and travelled well," Colgan said.
"He was off the bridle a bit on the turn and I was worried, but he really showed his determination and he just keeps going."
What's The Story rattled home along the fence to run Rangipo to a short head with the winner's stablemate Raghu turning in another courageous run for third ahead of the fillies Capella and Valley Girl. – NZ Racing Desk.
