Aussie campaigns on the agenda for Pike trio
Both Caricature and Terra Sancta have pulled up well after their runs in the Group 1 New Zealand Oaks (2400m), according to their Cambridge trainer Tony Pike and both have been set Australian targets in the coming months.
“They both had really good runs in the Oaks,” Pike said.
“Caricature did a lot of work for the first 1000m of the race and fought on bravely to finish fourth behind three pretty talented fillies.
“She has come a long way in a short time. I couldn’t have been happier with her and Terra Sancta was a 100-1 chance and she was coming off an unusual prep to get there, but she got a long way back and her sectionals were some of the best in the race.
“She closed it off really strongly over the final stages (to finish eighth). She has done a good job this preparation and I am sure she will come back a lot better next time.”
Pike said Terra Sancta has been turned out for a three week freshen-up and will be set for the Brisbane winter carnival, while Caricature’s Australian targets are more immediate.
“Caricature has had a very quiet week this week and there’s the possibility she will head to Adelaide for the Australasian Oaks and there are a couple of other staying races for three-year-old fillies there as well.”
Meanwhile, the stable’s stakes-winning three-year-old filly Treasure, who was forced out of the New Zealand Oaks with a foot issue, has recovered well and could possibly target the Group 1 Australian Oaks (2400m) next month.
“She is over her foot abscess now, she’s actually galloping tomorrow morning,” Pike said.
“As long as I am happy with her over the next two weeks it is likely she will fly over to Sydney for the Adrian Knox and we’ll just assess how she performs in that as to whether or not we carry on toward the ATC Oaks.”