Super Seth Colt Steps Up in Trip for G2 Hawkes Bay Guineas

Media Release - Friday September 27

Poetic Champion’s performance on Saturday will determine the future direction of his three-year-old season.

The son of Super Seth will head into unfamiliar distance territory when he bids for a successful return visit to Hastings in the Gr.2 AHD Animal Health Direct - Hawke’s Bay Guineas (1400m).

Poetic Champion will contest the Gr.2 AHD Animal Health Direct - Hawke’s Bay Guineas (1400m) at Hastings on Saturday.  Photo: Peter Rubery (Race Images Palmerston North)

Off the back of a promising juvenile campaign, Poetic Champion was a dashing winner off the front when he resumed in the Listed El Roca – Sir Colin Meads Trophy (1200m) on the opening day of the Hawke’s Bay carnival.

“Obviously, he got all favours first-up and won impressively and he’s taken improvement from that as well,” trainer Tony Pike said.

To again be partnered by Matt Cartwright, Poetic Champion will be stepping out for the first time beyond 1200m and his future program will become clearer after the weekend.

“There is probably a slight concern, but I think the way he ran three weeks ago he should get the 1400m reasonably well,” Pike said.

“Around Hawke’s Bay I’m not too concerned and obviously he’s drawn a low gate (four) which is going to help.

“I’ll have a chat to the owners and the 2000 Guineas (Gr.1, 1600m) is there, but whether he runs a strong mile at Riccarton could be a question mark.

“We’ll sit down with after Saturday when we should have more of an idea whether we go there, but there are there are other options.”

One of those is the inaugural running of the $3.5 million NZB Kiwi (1500m) in the autumn.

Advertisement

“He could possibly come back for the Almanzor Trophy (Gr.3, 1200m) and then maybe The Kiwi, if he got a slot,” Pike said.

“If he can run out a strong 1400m on Saturday then there’s no reason why he wouldn’t run out 1500m at Ellerslie. There are plenty of options for three-year-olds.”

Pike will have a select team at Hastings and was bullish about Cannon Hill’s chances in the Heretaunga – Hastings To The Core Premier (1600m), although a wide gate has thrown a spanner in the works.

“I thought he would be winning, but copped barrier 14 which will make it harder,” Pike said.

“He chased Witz End home last start and is going really while Slipper Island was desperately unlucky on the first day.”

Slipper Island finished at the back of the field after running into dead ends down the straight and will look to turn his fortunes around in the Colliers Commercial HB Premier (1400m).

Pike’s Te Rapa prospects on Friday include Agera in the Craigs Investment Partners 2100m and Roderer in the Craigs Investment Partners 1400m.

“Agera just needs a bit of cut in the ground, it was a bit firm for him at Hawke’s Bay and Roederer is going really well, but obviously 1400m is short of his best in a very hot race,” he said. – LOVERACING.NZ News Desk

Advertisment
More Reading...
Carlyon Stakes To Baraqiel – Second SW For Snitzel
Successful in the Group 2 McEwen Stakes (1200m) last time in, Sniztel’s 7yo son Baraqiel continued his outstanding record at the Moonee Valley circuit, resuming to win the Listed Carlyon Stakes (1000m) first up, highlighting potential Group 1 spring aims.
Super Seth 3YO Set for G3 Almanzor Trophy
Flying three-year-old Poetic Champion will spearhead Tony Pike’s trio of sprinters contesting the Gr.3 Cambridge Stud Almanzor Trophy (1200m) on Karaka Millions Night, staged this Saturday at Ellerslie.
Wuddzz Caps Fine 24 Hours For Dwyer
Handy stayer Wuddzz came with a well-timed run under Tim Clark to land the Gold Coast Turf Club Trophy (2400m) at Randwick.
Sterling Express Wins G2 Foxbridge Plate
Sterling Express stepped up to Group level for the first time in Saturday’s Gr.2 Waikato Stud Foxbridge Plate (1200m) at Te Rapa, and a stunning last-to-first performance showed that he belongs.
Super Seth 2YO Seeing Stakes Success
Saturday’s Listed Counties Challenge Stakes (1100m) brings together four of the six winners of two-year-old races in the North Island so far this season, and Cambridge trainer Tony Pike is hoping to see his runaway debut winner Poetic Champion rise to the occasion in the star-studded Pukekohe clash.
New SW Super Seth - Poetic Champion Brilliant Return
A brilliant return to racing in Saturday’s Listed El Roca-Sir Colin Meads Trophy (1200m) at Hastings sent a clear message that Poetic Champion will be a force to be reckoned with in three-year-old ranks this season.
Third Black Type Win For Snitzel’s Lazzura
A member of the Waller team to hold a dual acceptance leading into Saturday’s Randwick meeting, it was the Group 3 Show County Quality (1200m) where 4yo Snitzel mare Lazzura came out on top, recording her third black type victory.
First Black Type Victory For Nellie Leylax (IRE)
Not a bad way to break through for your first Australian victory as the Annabel and Rob Archibald trained Nellie Leylax (IRE) cleared out by more than two lengths to claim the Group 3 ATC Premier’s Cup (2000m) at Randwick.
Unbeaten Run Continues For Autumn Glow
Resuming off the back of two solid barrier trials efforts, Chris Waller’s Autumn Glow (The Autumn Sun) stepped up to open company for the first time, with the $1.8m yearling purchase extending her unbeaten run to five with victory in the Group 3 ATC Toy Show Quality (1100m) at Randwick.
Super Seth 3YO in Mix for G1 Sprints
A crack at a major summer sprinting prize against the older horses hasn’t been ruled out for quality three-year-old Poetic Champion.