Stryker Gelding Now Favourite for New Zealand Derby

A see-saw Group I BMW New Zealand Derby market took another twist on Saturday when a tenacious performance from progressive Stryker three year-old Rangipo saw him take over as the classic favourite.

 

The Tony Pike-trained three-year-old earned a $5 quote after winning the Group II Auckland Eye Avondale Guineas over 2100 metres at Ellerslie in a driving finish from Brighton and the dead-heaters Get That Jive and the winner’s stablemate Raghu.

“He’s an amazing horse as he’s been in work a long time and he just keeps turning up,” Pike said. “He’ll be back in a fortnight and then he can have a well-earned break.”

Rangipo travelled in behind the leaders on the fence and, as he did in winning the Group II Waikato Guineas, fought tooth and nail in the straight under Vinnie Colgan.

“Vinnie gave him a great ride with a lovely run in the trail,” Pike said. “He’s a really honest racehorse and quite a fast one as well!”

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.

Rangipo has won six of 11 starts – three of those wins in Group II events - 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.