2YO Rip Van Winkle Filly Impressive on Debut

Media Release - Saturday April 27

Trainer Tony Pike unleashed another eye-catching youngster from his Cambridge-based team when two-year-old filly Subpoena delivered a winning performance on debut at Te Rapa on Saturday.

Subpoena - Trish DinnellJust a fortnight after Pike's Darci Brahma filly Kali commenced her career with a stunning win at Hastings, Subpoena showed she is another not to be overlooked in the late season juvenile ranks as she stormed home to claim victory over 1200m.

Although successful at the Avondale trials earlier in the month, the Rip Van Winkle youngster was overlooked by punters who sent out two-race winner and Gr.2 Matamata Breeder's Stakes runner-up Rainbow Dash as a hot favourite in the contest.

With the early pace set up by another debutant in Quiz Kid, Rainbow Dash settled on his flank with Subpoena allowed to find her feet by rider Leith Innes in midfield.

Innes brought Subpoena into the race on the point of the home turn as he chased up the leading pair before cruising past them at the 150m to record a comfortable length and half victory from Rainbow Dash who managed to head off Quiz Kind in the final few strides.

"She's a beautiful scopey type of filly," Pike said afterwards.

"I thought the 1200m might be a bit sharp as she is going to get better over further.

"Leith trialled both her and Kali at Matamata and couldn't split them, so we knew she was pretty talented coming into today.

"It was a good field today as the second horse has won twice and is very smart so she (Subpoena) has a nice future ahead of her, especially as a three-year-old over further."

Advertisement

Pike will take a 'wait and see' approach with the filly although he does have a leaning towards trying her in black-type company at Ellerslie next month.

"We mentioned if she won today, and won well, that we might look at the Futurity (Listed 1400m) at Ellerslie," he said.

"She will tell us that going forward but she looks like a really nice, potential staying filly as a three-year-old."

While Pike kicked off his day at Te Rapa with the victory he was also keen to see how members of his team for the Brisbane winter carnival were progressing as undertook several exhibition gallops during the meeting.

Pike will send a six-member squad across the Tasman on Friday with quality sprinters Bostonian and Ever Loyal heading the team along with exciting three-year-old filly, Intrigue.

Pike also indicated that speedy juvenile Whiskey Neat would resume in the Listed Waikato Equine Veterinary Centre 2YO Stakes (1100m) at Te Rapa next Saturday after a comfortable win over 800m at the Te Teko trials on Friday. – NZ Racing Desk

Advertisment
More Reading...
Te Akau Shark Ready for Aussie Debut
Exciting New Zealand galloper Te Akau Shark will kick-off his spring campaign in Australia on Saturday where he will contest the Group II Tramway Stakes (1400m) at Randwick in front of some of his local owners, including Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks Captain Paul Gallen.
Subpoenaed Too Strong in the Millie Fox Stakes
Making her first start since disappointing in the Golden Eagle last October, the Chris Waller-trained Subpoenaed bounced back to form in Saturday’s $200,000 Group II Millie Fox Stakes at Rosehill Gardens.
G1 Aussie Season – Best of the Best
The $700,000 Group I Tatts Tiara (1400m) at Eagle Farm last Saturday was the last of 76 Australian Group I races run this season that produced 57 individual Group I winners, so let’s take a look at the best of the best.
New kids on the block add fresh blood to Vibrant Victorian breeding scene
With 11 new stallions standing in Victoria this coming breeding season, including the winners of three Group 1 races on their ‘home’ soil, the short and long-term future looks increasingly bright for the state’s vibrant industry. 
NZ Racing Woman of the Year
Caitlin O’Sullivan Doyle has been immersed in racing from a young age and she was recognised for her individual contribution to the industry at Entain’s Industry Excellence Awards on Sunday.
Alice Jeffries - Rising Star in Breeding Industry
Alice Jeffries didn’t always see a future for herself in the breeding industry, but a very special filly played a key role in getting her to where she is today, working as Cambridge Stud’s Assistant Yearling Manager, and receiving Entain’s Newcomer Excellence Award on Sunday.
Tenth 2YO Winner Spirit of Boom
Lindsay Park Racing produced the tenth 2YO winner of the season for Spirit of Boom at Pakenham on Monday when the well backed favourite Idleonby saluted at her second start.
Karaka Graduate Green Energy Finds Top Form
The Danny Shum-trained Green Energy, a New Zealand-bred son of Rip Van Winkle, returned from an eight-month injury absence to win Monday’s public holiday feature at Sha Tin, the Class 2 Hong Kong Reunification Cup Handicap (1200m).
Sires With Winners - Monday June 30
Here is the full list of 20 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
National Online Breeding Stock Sale Online Now
The National Online Breeding Stock Sale has launched on Gavelhouse Plus with bidding open on the 87 Lots sale which is set to end from 7pm on Wednesday 9th July.