Tony Pike is hoping his three-year-old Eliud can finish a successful preparation on a high note on Saturday when he contests the Mahogany Challenge Final (2500m) at Flemington.
The son of Almanzor has flourished in his autumn preparation, backing up his maiden success with a comprehensive winning performance at open three-year-old level, giving Pike confidence to book his ticket and contest a pair of Flemington races.
Stepping out over 2000m on June 22, Eliud lost no admirers finishing boldly for fifth after finding no fortune in transit and on straightening.
“He just had no luck, got caught three-wide early and ended up in a nice position but got clear too late,” Pike said.
“He still closed off the race really well and Blake (Shinn, jockey) was very pleased with his run, he just said he needed to get out and rolling.”
Shinn will remain with Eliud in Saturday’s contest and gave the gelding his tick of approval during Pike’s brief trip to Melbourne earlier this week.
“He galloped him on Tuesday morning and he worked very well, I think the step up to 2500m will suit,” Pike said.
“He’s drawn a lot better on Saturday (five) which is helpful with the short run to the first corner.
“We’re staying with Steve Richards at Flemington and have stayed there a number of times before, Dean Williams is working with Steve at the moment and he was my racing manager for about five or six years, so it works in really well.
“I am now back in New Zealand and we are off to Canada on Friday for the Calgary Stampede so I unfortunately won’t be at Flemington on Saturday.
“It’s something that Kirsten (wife) has wanted to do for a long time so it’ll be nice to get away for two-and-a-half weeks, it should be a lot of fun.”
Meanwhile, Pike will also be represented on home soil on Saturday, with juvenile filly Honey Badger on debut in the Sign Central 2YO (1100m) at Hastings.
“She’s a nice, genuine filly, owned by Caspar and Ronan Fownes from Hong Kong. They bought her at the breeze-up sales and decided to race her down here in New Zealand,” Pike said.
“She’s trialled well and will improve with race day experience, but she seems to get through rain-affected ground quite well so I expect her to be a nice each-way chance on Saturday.
“We’ll look to give her a short break after that and come back for the spring, she’s a filly with a future.”
Complacent four-year-old Agera is Pike’s sole runner at Te Rapa, commencing a new campaign in the Mark Sanders Memorial (1400m).
“He’s kicking off the preparation after quite a long break, he had a niggly injury at the end of his campaign,” he said.
“He will possibly need the run on Saturday at 1400m fresh-up, but he’ll be one to follow once he gets up to a mile and further.”
As Pike heads away on holiday, he had plenty of positives to reflect on from the season as he closes in on 60 winners, four of those at Group or Listed level.
“It’s been a really solid season, unfortunately we just missed on a couple of Group Ones by narrow margins but all-in-all I’m pretty happy and have a nice team coming back in now for the spring,” he said.
“I’m looking forward to next season.”