Flying three-year-old Poetic Champion will spearhead Tony Pike’s trio of sprinters contesting the Gr.3 Cambridge Stud Almanzor Trophy (1200m) on Karaka Millions Night, staged this Saturday at Ellerslie.
Poetic Champion was among the upper echelon of the country’s juveniles last season, placing in the Listed Counties Challenge Stakes (1100m), Gr.2 Wakefield Challenge Stakes (1100m) and Gr.3 Matamata Slipper (1200m).
Returning as a three-year-old, the son of Super Seth pounced on a deserved stakes victory in the Listed El Roca – Sir Colin Meads Trophy (1200m) at Hastings, and as anticipated by Pike, a game attempt over 1400m in the Gr.2 Hawke’s Bay Guineas (1400m) indicated the gelding’s sweet spot was back at the six furlongs (1200m).
Back at his favourite trip on New Year’s Day, Poetic Champion and his regular jockey Matt Cartwright returned to the winner’s circle, which then posed a question for connections, whether to go for the Almanzor or the $700,000 Gr.1 Sistema Railway (1200m) against the older horses.
A barrier draw of 13 in the Railway versus the ace in the Almanzor all but sealed the decision.
“Johnathan Munz (owner) was quite keen to run in the Railway, but with the strength of the field, it was always going to come down to barrier draws,” Pike said.
“He elected to accept in both races and obviously the draws became the telling decision in which we chose to run in, and he’s got barrier one in the Almanzor.
“He’s a talented sprinting three-year-old who is in good winning form, this looks like the ideal race for him.”
Pike has also entered lightly-tried fillies Thooza and Boss’N’Highheels in Saturday’s contest, with the former having carried Cambridge Stud’s colours to victory on two occasions, before finishing third behind Sought After at Ellerslie a fortnight ago.
“It was her first run right-handed and first look at Ellerslie, it was a solid performance,” Pike said.
“She’s going to need to improve on that run to be competitive on Saturday, but she’s a lightly-tried filly with ability and deserves her chance.”
Boss’N’Highheels will come into the race fresh-up, off the back of a solid trial placing behind Captured By Love and Imprevu.
“I talked to Brent and Cherry (Taylor, owners) and they were keen to have another runner on the night, and she trialled very well leading into Saturday,” Pike said. “This is another big step-up in class, but she’s an improving filly who is getting stronger with every preparation.
“If she can improve a couple of lengths on her last preparation, she might be able to sneak some black-type in the placings.”
The Trelawney silks will feature prominently on the night, with class mare Acquarello taking her place in the Gr.2 Westbury Classic (1400m). The Group Three-winning daughter of Written Tycoon is coming into the race in a rich vein of form, having won over 1400m at the Auckland venue on January 12.
“After she won in Christchurch, this looked like a nice option for her,” Pike said. “It’s great to have a runner on Karaka Millions Night, so we targeted this race, we gave her a short break and she’s come back in great form.
“This will be her strongest test to date, but she’s in winning form and seems to be improving with each run she has. She’s drawn well and she’s a genuine each-way chance.”
Completing Pike’s team will be Witz End, the son of Savabeel chasing the major spoils in the $1 million Elsdon Park Aotearoa Classic (1600m). Twice a Group performer over 1400m, Witz End is yet to show his prowess over a mile but will have the services of star Australian hoop Craig Williams in the race.
“He was just ridden a little too positively again in the Rich Hill Mile, he worked early then was disappointing over the final stages, after a very good run at Te Rapa,” Pike said.
“We’ll probably ride him a little bit quieter on Saturday, and on his best form, he’s a winning chance. I’m really happy with the way he’s going coming into this race.” – LOVERACING.NZ News Desk
