Australian Oaks start on line for Pike
A decision on a belated Group One appearance by Treasure will be made after she runs in today’s Gr.3 Adrian Knox Stakes (2000m) at Randwick.
“She went over on Tuesday and travelled well,” trainer Tony Pike said. “Obviously, it will depend on her performance as to whether we back her up in the Oaks a week later.”
Treasure, who will race in Australia as She’s A Treasure, was on target for the Gr.1 New Zealand Oaks (2400m) before a foot abscess forced her out of the Trentham classic.
“She’s fine now and she trialled at Cambridge the week before she flew out,” Pike said.
“I was rapt with her effort and she pulled up nicely. She’s a genuine staying filly and she’s bright and well so we’ll see what happens.”
She’s A Treasure won the Listed Oaks Prelude (1800m) before she was unplaced in the Gr.3 Lowland Stakes (2100m) after a chequered run.
Meanwhile, Endean Rose will make her debut for the stable in the Team Wealleans Handicap (1400m) at Te Aroha today.
“She has trialled really well and if she goes well we could run her in the Travis Stakes a fortnight later,” Pike said.
● Crack Me Up can boost the spirits of surrogate trainer Bjorn Baker after a disappointing Dubai World Cup experience.
Baker was in Dubai last weekend to watch Music Magnate run 11th in the Group One Al Quoz Sprint.
The Warwick Farm trainer is hoping for a better result after taking over Crack Me Up’s preparation for today’s Group One A$3 million Doncaster Mile at Randwick in February.
Crack Me Up’s Queensland trainer Liam Birchley is not allowed to race horses in NSW pending an inquiry concerning race day treatments in Victoria so connections transferred him to Baker.
Crack Me Up made the ideal first impression for Baker when he won the Group Three Liverpool City Cup (1300m) early last month before running unplaced in the Group One George Ryder Stakes (1500m) won by Winx on March 24.
“The way the race was run it never really suited him but his last couple of hundred (metres) was good,” Baker said. Jason Collett has had to contend with a sluggish start on both occasions.
Crack Me Up gained a ballot exemption for the Doncaster by winning the Group Two Villiers Stakes (1600m) at Randwick in December.
Crack Me Up was a $19 chance with the TAB yesterday and Baker hoped his unbeaten record at Randwick would defy those odds.