New Zealand Derby contender Rangipo furthered his claim for Classic glory with a tenacious victory in the Group II Waikato Guineas at Te Rapa on Saturday.
Rangipo and his stable mate Raghu were locked together at the end of the 2000 metre contest and trainer Tony Pike initially thought the latter had got the bob in, but it was an obvious win-win situation for him.
“It was a great race and both of them were strong to the line after doing a bit of work,” he said. “They’re on target for the Derby - super runs from both of them.”
Rangipo is the first horse Pike has trained for prominent owners John and Margaret Thompson, who bred the son of Australian based Fastnet Rock sire Stryker, the foundation stallion for Three Bridges Thoroughbreds in Victoria.
“They weren’t here when he won the Great Northern Guineas so it’s a great result, but I honestly thought the second horse had won,” he added. Pike wasn’t the only one – Rangipo’s rider Vinnie Colgan also thought he had missed out.
“Raghu headed me at the 100 and I thought I’d missed out on the nod,” Colgan said. “I had to ride him forward from the wide barrier and he’s pretty tough. If he relaxes he should go 2400 metres.”
Retained to race by his breeders, Rangipo has won five of 10 starts and is the first foal of minor winning Zabeel mare Holloway, a sibling to Group II winner Maze and stakes-winners Barlinnie and Penitentiary.
He is the second stakes-winner for Stryker, who has eight entries for the upcoming Inglis Premier Yearling Sale in Victoria at the end of the month.
