Trainer Tony Pike eyes more winter riches with Sacred Star in Glasshouse Handicap

AS Kiwi trainer Tony Pike formulates Melbourne Spring Carnival blueprints for two stable stars, he is also plotting to pinch more Aussie prizemoney with his old favourite Sacred Star.

Sacred Elixir and Sacred Star have a hitout during the winter carnival. Picture: Annette Dew

AS Kiwi trainer Tony Pike formulates Melbourne Spring Carnival blueprints for two stable stars, he is also plotting to pinch more Aussie prizemoney with his old favourite Sacred Star.

Pike was one of the stars of the Queensland Winter Carnival with his stunning Group 1 double of Provocative (Queensland Oaks) and Sacred Elixir (JJ Atkins) on Stradbroke Handicap day.

On the biggest day in Queensland racing, six-year-old sprinter Sacred Star also ran far above Pike’s expectations when he finished fifth in the Stradbroke.

On Saturday, Sacred Star drops well back in class when he runs in the Listed $175,000 Glasshouse Handicap (1400m) in the metropolitan meeting on the Sunshine Coast.

“I only realistically thought he was a very rough place chance in the Stradbroke, so he ran very well with all things considered,” Pike said. “I have kept him in Queensland because there is nothing in New Zealand for him at this time of year.

“The Glasshouse looks a good race for him, it is certainly a significant drop back in grade.

“Depending on how he races on Saturday, I might also look at keeping him in Australia for the Ramornie (at Grafton on July 13).”

Sacred Star will drop back in grade to contest the Glasshouse Handicap on Saturday. Picture: Liam Kidston

Pike, who will fly back to Australia on Friday, is spending countless hours mapping out spring missions for Provocative and Sacred Elixir.

The Winter Carnival Group 1 winners are spelling at Grandview Stud, southwest of Brisbane, and Pike believes some Queensland sun on their backs will be perfect before the Spring Carnival.

The astute Kiwi wants to shoot for the stars and get his Oaks winner into the Caulfield Cup, however he realises the filly will almost certainly need to win a qualifying race.

“Winning the Queensland Oaks doesn’t seem to get you into the Caulfield Cup these days, so we are looking at targeting some of the qualifying lead-up races to get her into the Cup,” Pike said.

Tony Pike, right, with Sacred Star’s owner Kyan Yap. Picture: Jono Searle

As for ultra-impressive juvenile Sacred Elixir, the Group 1 Victoria Derby appears the perfect target.

“There are plenty of three-year-old races in Melbourne for him to run in, so we are just trying to pick out the best path to go into the Derby,” Pike said. “It could be the case of going through the Caulfield Classic into the Derby, or the Caulfield Guineas into the Derby.

“I am very happy these horses are spelling in Queensland because it’s very wet and cold back home in New Zealand at the moment. Having a break in Queensland will give them their best chance to be in the best possible shape and frame of mind for their races in Melbourne.”

Originally published as Trainer Tony Pike eyes more winter riches with Sacred Star in Glasshouse Handicap