Pike’s Chachar heading towards black type races
Cambridge trainer Tony Pike is expecting Chachar to be keeping good company in the near future.
He produced the Thorn Park five-year-old for stylish first-up victory in the Bay of Islands ITM at Ruakaka on Saturday and she is tipped to continue her progression through the sprinting ranks.
“She was really impressive after trialling up well,” Pike said. “She’s a good mare fresh and this was a nice race for her with a light weight. She should progress through to a stakes race next season.”
Chachar, who has now won five of her 18 starts, settled behind the pace on the fence and she didn’t need to be asked twice by rider Vinnie Colgan to dive between runners in the closing 150 metres for a decisive victory.
Stradivarius took second money ahead of the winner’s stablemate Hollywood Lass, who delighted Pike with her effort.
The daughter of Swiss Ace sat one off the fence in second spot under apprentice Jordan Nason and she fought on bravely in the run home.
“She’s gone very well and she needs better ground,” he said. “She’ll keep and once she gets on the better spring tracks she’ll pick up a race quickly.”
Hollywood Lass has been sparingly-raced with two wins on her CV from 10 appearances.
“She can be a bit temperamental in the gates and we did have a few issues with her feet, but when she’s right she is very talented,” Pike said.