Rudyard made impressive progress last campaign and further improvement is expected from the dependable performer this time around.
The Tony Pike-trained son of Charm Spirit made his way through the grades, placing in the inaugural $1 million Elsdon Park Aotearoa Classic (1600m) along the way, before bagging a pair of open handicaps at Ellerslie and Pukekohe.
He finished third in a 900m open heat at Te Rapa on Tuesday ahead of loftier targets through his upcoming spring and summer campaign.
“He had quiet day out and he has come back in good order and he’ll probably have one more barrier trial and we’ll make a firm plan after that,” Pike said.
“He was really consistent throughout last time and he’s the sort of horse that is still reasonably well-placed in handicaps so he should be able to pick up a couple of nice races.
“He looks like he is in for a good season and if we place him right, he should be able to collect plenty of prizemoney.”
Rudyard has won six of his 22 starts and Pike could look further afield later in the year.
“There are plenty of options for him, possibly the Coupland’s Mile (Group 3, 1600m) at Riccarton might be a nice target for him,” he said.
“He is entered for all three of the Hawkes Bay races, but he’ll probably miss the first one (Group 1 Tarzino Trophy, 1400m) and maybe have a crack at the mile (Group 1 Arrowfield Stud Plate, 1600m).
“Obviously, Legarto will hang around for that and she’s going to be very hard to beat in those races, so we’ll wait and see.”
Two other younger members of the stable, Archaic Smile and Witz End, also stretched their legs at Tuesday’s trials.
Saxon Warrior filly Archaic Smile won the Listed Wellesley Stakes (1100m) last season and finished runner-up in the Group 1 Sistema Stakes (1200m).
“I’m more than happy with her and she’ll improve a heap with the trial,” Pike said.
“We’ll work out in the next week or so whether we head to Taupo for the fillies’ race as a pipe opener to the Gold Trail Stakes (1200m) or trial her again.”
Witz End won twice last preparation and ran second in the Group 2 Wellington Guineas before he finished well back in the Group 3 Carbine Club Stakes (1600m) at Randwick.
“He has come back really well and obviously a heavy track around that tighter circuit with his action prevented him from showing his best,” Pike said.
“He’ll take plenty of improvement out of his trial and he is a horse that I think the Coupland’s on a big, roomy track, especially with a firm surface, would be ideal.”
Pike will have only two runners on Saturday at Te Rapa, with Agera getting the nod over Revuelto.
“August will be pretty quiet and come September, like all the stables, we’ll be well underway,” Pike said.
“Agera missed a couple of runs with abandonments and extremely heavy tracks, but he likes Te Rapa.
“Admittedly, second-up over a mile is a slight query but he has worked very well and he should have a little bit more quality against most of those runners and looks a strong winning chance.
“Revuelto was good winning on a very wet track at Counties. He still does a fair bit wrong, he’s on and off the bridle in his races, but he’s genuine enough and he’s improved and an each way chance at a bigger price.”
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