Cambridge trainer Tony Pike is hoping his trio of runners at Avondale on Saturday can act as a nice appetiser ahead of stable runner Cheval D’or’s tilt at the Gr.1 Queensland Oaks (2200m) at Eagle Farm later in the day.
In a race affected by the late scratching of pre-post favourite Desert Lightning due to the downgrade of the track to a Heavy 10, Cheval D’Or who mastered the testing conditions to take out the Gr.3 Trelawney Stud Championship Stakes
Quality three-year-old Desert Lightning may be given another chance to add to his three-year-old record after finishing runner-up in the Gr.3 Manawatu Classic (2000m) at Awapuni on Saturday.
Lightly raced stayer Arby continued a purple patch of form for the father and daughter training combination of Darryn and Briar Weatherley when he stormed to victory in the Gr.3 Higgins Concrete Manawatu Classic (2000m).
