Odds could shorten on Jiayuguan
Pike, who won the 2013 Waikato Cup with More Than Sacred, has a strong hand this year
Kiwi punters are likely to take more notice of former Australian galloper Jiayuguan this week. The muchtravelled mare was at 45-1 and the outsider of the field when she finished third in the group three Counties Cup ( 2100m), at just her second run in New Zealand.
She should be at much shorter odds when she steps up to her favourite distance in the $100,000 group three SkyCity Hamilton Waikato Cup (2400m) at Te Rapa on Saturday.
The six-year-old, who made ground for sixth over 1600m at her New Zealand debut, has won three of her seven starts at 2400m and has only once been further back than fourth at the distance.
She won over 2400m at Rosehill, Randwick and Kembla Grange while going through the grades and was runner-up to Sir John Hawkwood in the listed Xmas Cup ( 2400m) at Randwick a year ago.
Jiayuguan, a Teofilo mare, is raced by the China Horse Club and began her race career in France, where she was stakes-placed.
“She has thrived since she’s been here,” her Cambridge trainer, Tony Pike, said. “We are still learning about her but are happy with her condition and she’s working well.
“It looks as if she was a bit hit or miss in Australia and this will be her first run left-handed for a while. She would also appreciate any give in the ground but should be a top three chance [on Saturday].”
Jiayuguan, who is a probable Wellington Cup contender, will also have a change of rider this weekend, with Mark Du Plessis replacing apprentice Ryan Elliot.
The China Horse Club, whose bloodstock interests are managed by New Zealander Michael Wallace, has quickly become a significant racing entity in Australia, Europe and the United States. The organisation, which also owns the New Zealand racemare Mime, has interests in 16 stallions around the world and last
She would also appreciate any give in the ground but should be a top three chance.
month bought into the ownership of the high class racehorses and stallion prospects Flying Artie, California Chrome and Flintshire.
Pike, who won the 2013 Waikato Cup with More Than Sacred, has a strong hand in the 2016 edition, as he also prepares Chenille, who is the likely favourite.
Chenille was a $4 favourite for the Counties Cup but lost little credence when fifth, after being unsuited by the deteriorating track conditions. “She copes with a dead track but it drizzled all day and was probably closer to a slow 8 by the time the cup was run,” Pike said.
“She was also having her first run for a month and stepping up from 1600m to 2100m and because of her good barrier and the racing pattern that day, she probably settled one or two spots closer than normal.
“This is not her grand final — the Auckland Cup is her long term target — but she has been working well and 2400m will really suit her. Provided we don’t get too much rain, she should be hard to beat.”
Pike will also run Sin To Win, Skyweka, Sacred Empire and Parker’s Piece at Te Rapa. Sacred Empire has shown sufficient staying potential to be nominated for the Auckland and Wellington Cups and should be competitive in the R75 2400m.
Skyweka, who tackles the R85 1600m, had no luck at Pukekohe at her last start.
Tony Pike on Jiayuguan