Poetic Champion’s performance on Saturday will determine the future direction of his three-year-old season.
The son of Super Seth will head into unfamiliar distance territory when he bids for a successful return visit to Hastings in the Gr.2 AHD Animal Health Direct – Hawke’s Bay Guineas (1400m).
Off the back of a promising juvenile campaign, Poetic Champion was a dashing winner off the front when he resumed in the Listed El Roca – Sir Colin Meads Trophy (1200m) on the opening day of the Hawke’s Bay carnival.
“Obviously, he got all favours first-up and won impressively and he’s taken improvement from that as well,” trainer Tony Pike said.
To again be partnered by Matt Cartwright, Poetic Champion will be stepping out for the first time beyond 1200m and his future program will become clearer after the weekend.
“There is probably a slight concern, but I think the way he ran three weeks ago he should get the 1400m reasonably well,” Pike said.
“Around Hawke’s Bay I’m not too concerned and obviously he’s drawn a low gate (four) which is going to help.
“I’ll have a chat to the owners and the 2000 Guineas (Gr.1, 1600m) is there, but whether he runs a strong mile at Riccarton could be a question mark.
“We’ll sit down with after Saturday when we should have more of an idea whether we go there, but there are there are other options.”
One of those is the inaugural running of the $3.5 million NZB Kiwi (1500m) in the autumn.
“He could possibly come back for the Almanzor Trophy (Gr.3, 1200m) and then maybe The Kiwi, if he got a slot,” Pike said.
“If he can run out a strong 1400m on Saturday then there’s no reason why he wouldn’t run out 1500m at Ellerslie. There are plenty of options for three-year-olds.”
Pike will have a select team at Hastings and was bullish about Cannon Hill’s chances in the Heretaunga – Hastings To The Core Premier (1600m), although a wide gate has thrown a spanner in the works.
“I thought he would be winning, but copped barrier 14 which will make it harder,” Pike said.
“He chased Witz End home last start and is going really while Slipper Island was desperately unlucky on the first day.”
Slipper Island finished at the back of the field after running into dead ends down the straight and will look to turn his fortunes around in the Colliers Commercial HB Premier (1400m).
Pike’s Te Rapa prospects on Friday include Agera in the Craigs Investment Partners 2100m and Roderer in the Craigs Investment Partners 1400m.
“Agera just needs a bit of cut in the ground, it was a bit firm for him at Hawke’s Bay and Roederer is going really well, but obviously 1400m is short of his best in a very hot race,” he said.
