The Tony Pike-trained Churchillian (NZ) (Churchill) posted her third win from just five starts when taking out the Bayleys Mt Maunganui 3YO 1400 at Tauranga on Saturday.
The chestnut daughter of Churchill dug deep under rider Vinnie Colgan to narrowly defeat Hanalei (NZ) (Darci Brahma) and Academy Award (NZ) (Star Turn), with a nose and a head separating the first three.
Colgan has now been aboard for all three of Churchillian’s victories and seems to have the key to the filly, who likes to dictate and enjoys a scrap.
“She did a very similar thing at Awapuni last start as well,” Pike said. “She jumped and led and looked like she was going to be headed the whole way down the straight but just kept finding.
“She is a very genuine filly that has still got a bit to learn. She doesn’t really travel in the run, and she pricks her ears a little bit every now and then but is pretty hard to get past.
“The way she relaxes, and she was strong past the post, I think she will probably get a mile.”
Pike will give consideration to a start in the Gr.3 Inglis Sales Cambridge Breeders’ Stakes (1200m) at Te Rapa on April 29.
“Just whether they are a bit sharp for her in the Cambridge Breeders’ Stakes, I am not sure,” he said.
“She has got plenty of maturing to do and she will keep developing so we will probably look for another three-year-old 1400m race and just look after her through to next season.
“We will have a chat to the owners in the next few days and make a plan.”
Colgan was pleased to hear the judges call go in his favour.
“I was headed twice, but as we have seen in her two previous wins, she is pretty gutsy,” Colgan said.
“As soon as one challenged her, she has just given a bit more. She has always had that fight but I think the pattern with her is to ride her to lead and when anyone challenges her, she does give a lot.”
Bred by Pencarrow Stud, Churchillian was a $100,000 Karaka Yearling purchase via bloodstock agent Paul Willetts. The daughter of multiple Guineas winner Churchill, the filly is out of the Fastnet Rock mare Fond du Coeur, who stems from the family of star European mare Pride (Pentire Celebre).
