Pike rolls dice at Ellerslie
Tony Pike’s decision to let Haussmann take his place in the Great Northern Foal Stakes at Ellerslie proved a wise move.
The Cambridge trainer had major concerns about the heavy going on Saturday, but rolled the dice with the youngster in the Graeme Thomson Jeweller-sponsored featured and the son of Pour Moi came up trumps.
“He’d only ever trialled and raced on good or dead ground, but it is a stakes race and it was always going to be his last run for the season,” Pike said.
Ridden by Vinnie Colgan, Haussmann was forced to cover extra ground near the back of the field before he circled runners across the top. The two-year-old stuck grimly to his task in the straight and, despite not enjoying the footing, he proved superior in the run to the line.
“He’ll go out now and we’ll have him back for some of those better races in the spring. He should get a strong mile and maybe further,” Pike said.
So Far Sokool made the running and she fought on bravely for second in her final appearance for trainers Peter and Dawn Williams. She has been purchased by OTI Racing.
Ohceedee finished third ahead of Lily The Pink, who gave a strong account of herself on debut.
● A strong weight carrying performance from the well-related Close Up at Ellerslie continued his unbeaten run this preparation.
The seven-year-old made light of his topweight to down Fire Jet, who was in receipt of six kilos, in the Equilume 1200 on Saturday.
Close Up he has now won nine of his 24 starts for Cambridge cobreeder, part-owner and trainer Shelley Hale.