Tony Pike will chase stakes features at both domestic venues on Saturday but will need withdrawals for a crack at the biggest prize on offer this weekend.
The Cambridge trainer holds a strong hand at Te Rapa with Rudyard (NZ) (Charm Spirit) and Witz End (NZ) (Savabeel) in the Gr.3 Valley D’Vine Restaurant Spring Sprint (1400m) and Raziah in the Gr.3 Barneswood Farm Stakes (1400m) at Ashburton.
However, their barnmate Val Di Zoldo (NZ) (War Decree) will require scratchings to get off the ballot for a run in the Gr.1 Livamol Classic (2040m) and Pike is confident she will give a good account of herself if she does sneak in.
“She is one of the unluckiest mares going around and should have won the Travis Stakes (Gr.2, 2000m) last season,” Pike said.
“Wiremu (Pinn) lost his iron that day and she got beaten a couple of half-heads and she probably should have won last Saturday.”
The daughter of War Decree finished fifth at Tauranga where she was unable to secure a clear passage down the home straight.
“She has been desperately unlucky and if she does get a run, it’s not a vintage Livamol field and she’d definitely be an each way chance the way she is going,” Pike said.
Rudyard and Witz End are in fine order for the feature sprint and top candidates, provided they get underfoot conditions to suit.
“Hopefully the track will improve for both of them, and if it is reasonable they are hard to split,” Pike said.
“Rudyard is a better horse at Ellerslie, although he has won at Te Rapa but is probably not as good there.
“Witz End is very talented but it’s his first crack at open company and it’s only his seventh race day start.
“It’s a tough ask of him but he’s obviously heading the right way and will get to that level sooner rather than later.”
Rudyard was a solid last-start third when resuming at Ellerslie last month while Witz End returned to action off a break at Hastings where he was a dominant winner after making the play out in front.
Both horses hold nominations for the Gr.3 TAB Mile (1600m) on the middle day of the New Zealand Cup meeting at Riccarton.
“That’s definitely an option for them and we’ll see what happens on Saturday first,” Pike said.
Meanwhile, Niagara filly Raziah (NZ) (Niagara) will take another step toward the southern carnival when she bids to remain unbeaten this preparation in the Gr.3 Barneswood Farm Stakes (1400m) at Ashburton on Saturday after winning last month’s Listed Canterbury Belle Stakes (1200m).
“She probably won’t have the gate speed to get herself handy at Ashburton, she’ll probably sit midfield and hopefully they go quickly and she’ll be strong late as she always is,” Pike said.
“That should set her up nicely heading toward the 1000 Guineas (Gr.1, 1600m).”
Pike will decide after this weekend whether Raziah has another run before the Classic in the Gr.3 War Decree Stakes (1600m) at Riccarton on October 26.
