Super Seth 3YO in Mix for G1 Sprints

Media Release - Thursday December 5

A crack at a major summer sprinting prize against the older horses hasn’t been ruled out for quality three-year-old Poetic Champion.

The stakes winning son of Super Seth is back in work and making good progress following a brief spring campaign that convinced trainer Tony Pike that, in the shorter term at least, he would be best kept to shorter assignments.

Poetic Champion winning the Listed El Roca - Sir Colin Meads Trophy (1200m) in September. Photo: Peter Rubery (Race Images Palmerston North)

Poetic Champion was an emphatic first-up winner of the Listed El Roca – Sir Colin Meads Trophy (1200m) at Hastings before he finished fourth in the Gr.2 Hawke’s Bay Guineas (1400m).

“He’s an out and out sprinter and he throws everything into his races, he might get 1400m when he’s older, but at this stage he’s definitely a 1200m horse,” Pike said.

To that end, he is now mulling over more immediate options for the freegoing chestnut.

“He had a short break before he came back into the stable and galloped well this (Thursday) morning,” Pike said.

“We’ll trial him at Counties on December 17 and then confirm a plan after that.

“Obviously, the three-year-old race (Gr.3 Almanzor Trophy, 1200m) on Karaka Millions night could be a target but if he trialled brilliantly, we might even consider going into the Telegraph (Gr.1, 1200m) at weight-for-age.

“That might be a little bit left field at this stage, but we’ll keep an eye on what the sprinting ranks come up like and with the pull in the weights we might think about it.”

Meanwhile, Pike’s immediate focus is on Saturday’s meeting at Ellerslie where Poetic Champion’s fellow three-year-old Honey Badger will face her sternest test in the Gr.3 Bonecrusher Stakes (1400m).

Advertisement

The El Roca filly delivered a strong resuming performance last time out at Te Aroha for her first victory in three appearances.

“She has come back really well, and she was good last time on a rain-affected track and the second horse (Celestial Wonder) has come out and run really well again,” Pike said.

“It’s an even field on Saturday so we’ll get a fair idea of where she sits at this stage of her preparation.”

Pike has a number of other genuine each-way prospects at Ellerslie, including Roederer in the Dunstan Horsefeeds Stayers’ Championship (2100m).

The son of Turn Me Loose was narrowly denied a fifth career victory last time out when he finished runner-up.

“We had a proper go with him at Counties the other day, we had set him up for that race and he just got done by a nose,” Pike said.

“I’m sure he’ll run well again, and Dimaggio is also close to getting another one.”

Almanzor’s son Dimaggio also finished second at the Pukekohe meeting last month and will bid to go one better in the Barfoot & Thompson Handicap (1400m). – LOVERACING.NZ News Desk.

Advertisment
More Reading...
G2 Winner for Hello Youmzain
Due back at Cambridge Stud this spring Hello Youmzain (FR) had a great result in France overnight where his progressive three year-old filly Godspeed won the Group II Prix de Sandringham (1600m) at the French Derby meeting at Chantilly.
Cool Aza Beel Strikes Again
Proven Te Akau Racing filly Cool Aza Rene put her quality on display when prevailing in a competitive Nellies Restaurant and Bar 2YO (820m) at Wingatui on Sunday.
The Secret is Out!
He has big shoes to fill as a half-brother to a $12million earner, but there is no secret about his ability! 
French Derby Winner for Wootton Bassett
The versatility of Wootton Bassett (GB) was on show overnight in France where the Coolmore shuttler had first and third in the Group I Prix du Jockey Club (2100m) at Chantilly with Camille Pissarro claiming victory for Coolmore.
Aussie Bred Trifecta in G3 Sha Tin Vase
Toronado (IRE) gelding Helios Express led home a tricta for Aussie bred sprinters in the Group III Sha Tin Vase (1200m) on Saturday defeating Invincible Sage (Thronum) and Patch of Theta (Zoustar).
Lightly Raced Stayer Wins Sandown Cup
The $175,000 Listed MRC Sandown Cup (3200m) on Sunday featured some battle hardened  old stayers, but it was the young kind on the block that got the prize with four year-old Tavistock gelding Diwali scoring his first stakes win.
Super Seth Colt Steps Up in Trip for G2 Hawkes Bay Guineas
Poetic Champion’s performance on Saturday will determine the future direction of his three-year-old season.
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.
Research on Equliume Light Mask
Don’t take our word for granted ….. Research on the Equilume Light mask for the pregnant mare and foal
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.