Queensland calls Sacred Shot

The Queensland winter carnival is in the mix for the exciting staying prospect Sacred Shot.

The Cambridge four-year-old has made rapid progress under trainer Tony Pike’s guidance and connections are keen for him to cross the Tasman later this year.

‘‘We’d like to get his prizemoney up a bit more and his rating and then maybe take him to Brisbane for some of the better staying races,’’ Pike said.

A son of Savabeel, Sacred Shot finished runner-up in his threeyear-old debut before he was sidelined by injury. He quickly showed he was worth waiting for when, nearly a year later, he again finished second on his return before reeling off impressive back-to-back wins at Ellerslie.

Pike had no hesitation in lining Sacred Shot up in an open handicap at his fifth start and his faith in the gelding was repaid with a solid run for second behind his stakes-winning stablemate Chenille in the Karaka Stayers’ Cup.

‘‘He’s a very progressive horse and he had a fortnight off after that,’’ he said. ‘‘He’ll probably kick off in a Rating 85 mile, again at Ellerslie, during the Auckland Cup carnival. He’s really strengthened now as a 4-year-old. He’s got a bright future.’’

Meanwhile, Chenille will have another opportunity to add to her silverware when last season’s Listed Hawke’s Bay Cup winner runs in Saturday’s Group II Avondale Cup.

Another likely for the Auckland Cup carnival is the Herbie Dyke Stakes winner Volkstok’n’barrell. Saturday’s Te Rapa Group I winner will go to the New Zealand Stakes (2000m) to try and emulate his win of last year.