Pike runners in action both sides of Tasman

[Chief Stipe]

Cambridge trainer Tony Pike has plenty to focus on in his homeland, with Surely Sacred the favourite for the Vodafone New Zealand Derby, but he will also have an eye across the Tasman shortly after Saturday’s blue-riband event.

Progressive galloper Ever Loyal will contest the Gr. 3 Liverpool City Cup at Randwick just 10 minutes after the Derby and Pike believes he is a good chance of snaring the thick end of the prize in both races.

Ever Loyal, who has the services of Kerrin McEvoy, will jump from barrier eight in the competitive nine-horse field and is rated a $7.50 chance.

“His racing manners last season weren’t quite there,” Pike said. “He was a little bit aggressive and just did a few things wrong and he probably struggled to get 1600 metres.

“He had an injury enforced layoff and he has probably come back better than ever.

“His two runs resuming off a 12-month break have been exceptional. His sectionals have been very good, so I think it is time to step up in class and have a crack in Sydney on Saturday.

“He was probably a touch unlucky first-up in the Concorde behind a very promising horse in Ardrossan and he was very dominant last start in good time.

“I think he is definitely up to the Sydney class of horses in the lower grades at this stage and the long-range plan is to get some prize-money in the bank and hopefully get his rating up to possibly have a go at a race like the Stradbroke in Queensland during the winter carnival.”

Pike couldn’t be happier with Surely Sacred, the $3.80 favourite for the New Zealand Derby on the back of a strong win in the Gr. 2 Avondale Guineas at his last start.

“He’s had the perfect preparation,” Pike said. “He has won three out of five races and was possibly a little unlucky not to have run closer in the other two.

“He got shuffled up at a bad time in the Karaka Million 3YO race. It was a very slow tempo that day and he still closed well for fifth then was a dominant winner last start and probably off a pretty tough run.

“I don’t think the 2400 metres is going to be an issue. He is in good form and he is a very progressive horse, so I am looking forward to Saturday.”

Pike will again join forces with jockey Vinnie Colgan, who will be looking to add an incredible seventh New Zealand Derby to his record. Hs most recent success in the classic came on the Pike-trained Rangipo in 2016.

View the full article