An online purchase over COVID-19 lockdown is proving fruitful for a group of Otago mates.
Four years ago, Craig Hunter was perusing New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Weanling Sale on gavelhouse.com, and a Per Incanto weanling filly piqued his interest.
Under his pseudonym Wagonwheel, Hunter went to $11,000 to secure the half-sister to stakes performer Princeton Spirit, and put a small syndicate together to race her with Wingatui trainer Steven Prince.
Hunter subsequently named his filly Tikki and she has become an astute buy, recoding four wins and two placings from 10 starts to date, and accrued more than $80,000 in prizemoney.
Prince has been impressed with her development, particularly over the last 12 months, and is now wanting to test her talent against stakes company for the first time at Riccarton on Saturday in the Listed Pegasus Stakes (1000m).
She has won four of her last five,” Prince said.
“She is going well.
“It is a big step up for her, but we thought we would come up and test the water and see where she is at.”
Prince will have the services of leading northern hoop Craig Grylls aboard, with Tikki set to jump from barrier nine in the sprint feature.
“Niranjan Parmar was originally going to ride her, but he decided to ride at Te Rapa, and Craig is a good booking,” Prince said.
“She is pretty easy to ride, she has got amazing gate speed, she’ll put herself up there, and she has only got 53kg. The only question is if she is up this next level, but I think she is.”
Tikki takes a last start winning performance into the weekend and Prince has been pleased with the way she has progressed since that victory over 1200m at Wingatui last month.
“She got a bit leg weary in the last 50m, but the track was a Heavy8,” he said.
“She is naturally fit and pulled up great. She is better from the run and she worked exceptional on Wednesday morning.”
It will be a hit-and-run mission for the five-year-old mare, with Prince eyeing local targets with his charge following Saturday’s run.
“She is booked to come home on Sunday, she won’t stay up for the Stewards (Listed, 1200m),” he said.
“There are some nice races down here, but we will see how she is on Saturday and then we will make some plans.”
Tikki will be joined on the float trip north to Christchurch this week by stablemate Bellano, who was also victorious over 1200m at Wingatui last start.
The five-year-old daughter of Savabeel will contest the NZB Ready To Run Sale Trainers Series Premier (1400m) on Saturday, and could be in line for some rich local features next March.
“She was pretty impressive the other day over 1200m, she has gone to another level,” Prince said.
“The big track will suit her because she gets back a wee bit.
“She will come home on Sunday. The Southern Mile is down here worth $200,000, and the White Robe (Group 3, 1600m) is $220,000. I think she has gone to another notch this prep.”
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