Powerful Elixir does job
Outstanding 3-year-old Sacred Elixir has signalled he is a major player in the top races this spring – maybe even the Cox Plate.
In contrast, Cox Plate plans for fellow Kiwi Xtravagant have been scrapped and he will be on the first available plane home to New Zealand.
Pour Moi gelding Sacred Elixir scored a strong first up victory in the Group III Caulfield Guineas Prelude (1400m) on Saturday for Cambridge trainer Tony Pike.
The winner of the Group I J J Atkins Stakes1600m) at Eagle Farm in June returned at Caulfield with the half-length victory, defeating on-pace runner Revolving Door with Wazzenme a neck back third.
Fellow Kiwi and race favourite Saracino was beaten just one length in fifth and will continue on to the Caulfield Guineas
Co-trainer Murray Baker was happy with Saracino’s run, his third back from a spell, and will press on to the Guineas.
‘‘I thought he went pretty well,’’ Baker said. ‘‘He got held up at a vital stage and didn’t get much of a go in the straight.
‘‘ But he relaxed well which is a positive sign and I guess it’s better to have a bit of bad luck today than in a fortnight.
‘‘Sacred Elixir was very impressive, he’s a good horse, but our colt did enough to say he can run in the Guineas.’’
Pike said Sacred Elixir would only improve as the distances increased, with the prestigious Group I Caulfield Guineas (1600m) his next target before a likely tilt at the Victoria Derby (2500m).
‘‘He’s a horse that’s only going to get a lot better once he gets over further,’’ Pike declared.
‘‘Damian [Lane] gave him a peach of a ride. He got him out at the right time and gave him plenty of time to wind up.’’
Sacred Elixir firmed from $5.50 pre-race to $4.20 equal favourite for the A$1 million classic in two weeks while Saracino is at $17.
While the Caulfield Guineas has been on Pike’s radar, he said the main goal this spring has always been the Victoria Derby.
‘‘That’s the race he’s been prepared for so that’s why it’s very surprising to see him win over 1400m.’’
And Pike isn’t discounting taking on the mighty Winx in the Cox Plate if all goes sweetly for the Raffles Farm-owned star.
Damien Oliver rode Saracino and was aboard stablemate La Luna Rossa who ran well in the Thousand Guineas Prelude.
Having her maiden Australian run, she charged home for second to New Zealand-bred Pins filly Legless Veuve.
"It was great to see,’’ said cotrainer Andrew Forsman. ‘‘Your always a bit nervous to see how they measure up first time against the Aussies.
Oliver was also the rider of disappointing Xtravagant in the Group I Sir Rupert Clark Stakes. He said the Matamatatrained entire travelled well in front and after giving a kick weakened in the run home.
‘‘He was well behaved today so I can’t blame that,’’ Oliver said of the Stephen Autridge and Jamie Richards-trained enigma.
Xtravagant got stirred up before his recent Australian fresh-up run and performed poorly on that occasion. He trialled after that in an attempt to rectify his race-day arousal problem but the problem resurfaced at Caulfield.
‘‘We can’t get him firing, can’t get him racing to his best so he will be coming home,’’ Autridge said.
Better news for Kiwis was Lucia Valentina’s slashing third in the Underwood Stakes.