Tony Pike is confident Golden Century(NZ) (Pierro) can realise his full potential over ground and his opinion has been endorsed by a major international player.
The Cambridge trainer’s lightly raced son of Pierro has recently been purchased by OTI Racing, but for the foreseeable future will remain in his care.
Golden Century has hit the line well to finish third in both of his starts up to 1400m and is expected to show his true worth once stepped up in trip.
Pike had intended to give the three-year-old that opportunity in Friday’s Ancroft Stud Maiden (1600m) at Matamata, but plans have been dashed by a wide barrier (10).
“OTI bought the horse in the last 10 days or so and he’s probably unlikely to run from that draw,” he said.
“There’s a lot of racing to come and it’s an awkward gate around Matamata so we’re likely to wait a week or 10 days and run in a nice mile race somewhere and see where we can get to this preparation.”
The dream outcome would be a crack at the Gr.1 Trackside New Zealand Derby (2400m) at Ellerslie on March 8.
“They are going to leave him here to see if he is mature enough to get to the Derby and he will head to Australia before or after that, depending how he goes in his next couple of runs,” Pike said.
“He’s a lovely big, scopey type of horse and is still learning his trade, he’s one of those types that’s given us the feeling that once he gets to 2000m and possibly further, will come right into his own.”
With Golden Century unlikely to start, Pike’s only runner on Friday will be Pax Mundi in the Noble & Lee Accountants (1400m). She was a resuming sixth after missing the jump at Ellerslie earlier this month.
“She has improved off that first-up run, but it’s a pretty hot field to be fair and probably just a place chance,” he said.
Meanwhile, untried and proven members of the stable were to the fore at Tuesday’s Pukekohe trials where juveniles Argo and Justice For All won their 800m trials, while Pink Gem finished runner-up.
Stakes winners Poetic Champion, Acquarello and Churchillian also impressed ahead of opening their summer campaigns.
“Some nice two-year-olds trialled well and two or three of them will head to the races in the short term,” Pike said.
“Argo, Justice For All and Pink Gem will probably run sometime in the next two or three weeks, there’s plenty of races coming up.”
Unraced Exceed And Excel three-year-old Vortex Bay also easily won his 800m heat to draw attention to the colt’s future prospects.
“He’s a lovely horse and has come back in great order after a break and has really improved from two to three,” Pike said.
“He couldn’t have been more impressive and looks a nice sprinting type for after Christmas and into the autumn.”
Poetic Champion and Churchillian won their respective heats and Acquarello wasn’t pressured to finish fourth in her hit-out.
“We’ll have a regroup in the next two or three days with Poetic Champion and make a decision whether he runs in the Telegraph (Gr.1, 1200m) or wait for the three-year-old 1200m race (Gr.3 Almanzor Trophy) on Karaka Millions night,” Pike said.
“Churchillian and Acquarello will go to the Royal Descent Stakes (1400m) at Ellerslie on Boxing Day.”