Racing: Hastings step up will suit Rangipo

Rangipo will make his next appearance in the Tarzino Trophy on Saturday week. Photo / Trish Dunell

Rangipo only beat four runners home in the group two Foxbridge Plate, but that didn't accurately reflect his performance on an unsuitably heavy Te Rapa track.

Tony Pike left the course a satisfied trainer with his group one winner's resuming effort on Saturday and looking forward to the Hawke's Bay carnival.

"It was a super run. He travelled well and Leith [Innes] had to grab another hold of him with 600m to run," he said.

"He couldn't get out to the better part of the track and he was held up a couple of times."

Pike has also been delighted with Rangipo's progress since the Te Rapa race.

"He came through it really well," he said. "It was more like a barrier trial for him and the step up to 1400 metres at Hastings will suit him even better."

Rangipo will make his next appearance in the Gr.1 Tarzino Trophy on Saturday week and he holds nominations for the final two legs of the Triple Crown series, the Gr.1 Windsor Park Plate and the Gr.1 Livamol Classic.

Pike also reported his impressive three-year-old winner Felton Road had come through Saturday's outing in fine shape.

The son of Pins resumed over 1100 metres and once he saw clear air late in the straight he was smartly through the gap. "It was good to see him come back so well," Pike said. "He relaxed nicely and it was good to see him sprint so well on such a wet track."

Felton Road will make his next appearance in the Listed Tavistock Northland Breeders' Stakes on September 16.

Pike's team was out in force at Te Rapa yesterday morning to take advantage of the better underfoot conditions. "We galloped 10 there. Cambridge is a big training centre and the track through the winter gets hammered. The new trial track at Te Rapa is good and it gave them a trip away," he said.

Among those to enjoy a hit-out was Sacred Rebel, a winner on the course in June at his only appearance.

"He'll go to Hastings for the El Roca Sprint.

"We're trying to split the three-year-olds as best as we can," Pike said.

- NZ Racing Desk