All systems go for Cyber Attack
The well-related Cyber Attack showed the benefit of a spell when he made the perfect return at Te Awamutu.
Put aside after two summer outings, the Shamexpress two-year-old resumed in fine style in Wednesday’s Vilagrad Winery 1150m to break his maiden and open up later season options.
“He was probably a bit immature last time around and he’s strengthened up during a break,” trainer Tony Pike said.
Cyber Attack raced outside the leader and, while he didn’t corner that well, he flattened out in the closing 150m for rider Vinny Colgan to claim major honours at the expense of the front-runner Superstatic.
“He was a bit unbalanced around the turn, but he was strong to the post,” Pike said.
Cyber Attack was purchased for $47,500 as a weanling by Peter Mitchell, of Bonecrusher fame, out of Lime Country Thoroughbreds’ 2016 draft at Karaka.
He is a son of the General Nediym mare Marechal, who is a half-sister to the New Zealand-bred Group 1 Australian Cup (2000m) and Group 1 Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m) winner Humidor.
Cyber Attack was at home on a Slow 7 track at Te Awamutu with an effort that will encourage Pike to press on with the youngster.
“He got through the ground quite well today and as long as he continues to improve we can consider some of the better two-year-old races to come on the wetter tracks,” he said.
Pike was also delighted on Monday with stablemate Terra Sancta’s winning Australian debut over a mile at Ipswich.
“We were really pleased and it was a bit of a do or die effort to get in through the back door to the Queensland Oaks,” he said.
“She’ll run in a class two at the Sunshine Coast in two weeks and hopefully that will get her in.”