Cambridge trainer Tony Pike will launch a two-pronged attack on the feature event at Te Aroha on Saturday when he lines up consistent galloper Maldini and promising stayer Harlow Rocks in the Lockwood Coromandel Peninsula Thames Cup (1600m).
Pike is pleased with both of his stable runners leading into the event, although he cautions that last season’s Gr.2 David & Karyn Ellis Fillies Classic (2000m) runner-up Harlow Rocks is still in the early stages of her current preparation after recovering well from a knee injury that halted her three-year-old campaign.
“I think both of our horses in the Thames Cup will race well as they have been working up nicely and will enjoy the big, roomy track at Te Aroha,” Pike said.
“Maldini comes in off a nice run for third over 2100m at Te Rapa before Christmas. He is a horse that has needed time and patience as he can get very keen in his races, and he did at his last start but still made up good ground in the run home.
“Dropping him back to the mile will suit and as long as he can relax and not overdo things mid-race then he can be in the finish.
“Harlow Rocks is a very promising stayer who has had a decent spell after she suffered a knee injury last season.
“She had an operation and has had a long, slow build-up for a return to racing.
“Although she ran last of seven first up over 1400m, I was pleased with how she went as she needed to get a race under her belt after such a long layoff.
“The mile at Te Aroha will suit her better but she is probably still a race away from her best form. I just want to see her getting home strongly as there are some nice races for her on the horizon in the late summer and autumn.
“She has the black type placing to her name so the goal now will be to add a stakes win to her pedigree page.”
Pike is looking forward to seeing promising juvenile filly Justice For All step out for her raceday debut in the first race on the card after two nice trial performances that include a win over 800m at Pukekohe last month.
“Justice For All is a lovely Turn Me Loose filly that we think has a lot of natural ability,” he said.
“She is not really a two-year-old type as she is a big scopey filly, but she has showed us plenty at the trials and it is a good time to get her underway.
“I would like to think that the experience we can give her now will stand her in good stead for the autumn and then as a three-year-old next season.”
Pike is also keen to see maiden galloper Urlar improve on a strong closing fourth at his last start when he steps out in the fourth race on the card, a maiden 1600m.
“Urlar ran on well last time at Te Rapa and is knocking on the door for a win,” he said.
“He was a very weak horse that has taken time to strengthen but seems to be coming to it now and if he can get cover from a wide draw (15) we would like to see him running home well again.”
Pike also reported that smart three-year-old Poetic Champion had come through his win on New Year’s Day at Ellerslie in an open 1200m well and would now head to Karaka Millions night at Ellerslie on 25 January for the Gr.3 Cambridge Stud Almanzor Trophy (1200m).
