Photo: Peter Rubery (Race Images Palmerston North)
Tony Pike believes the big, roomy Trentham track will suit his promising three-year-old Witz End right down to the ground in Saturday’s Gr.2 Life Direct Wellington Guineas (1400m).
Unbeaten in his first two starts, the Savabeel gelding’s picket fence form line came to an end last Friday when beaten by December on the tight-turning Taupo track over 1300m.
“It was just disappointing having to take him to Taupo. He needed the run, but he is just such a big-actioned horse, he really got lost around the tight turns from the half-mile to the corner at Taupo,” Pike told Trackside NZ. “He looked in all sorts of trouble, like he was going to drop out and run last, but once he balanced up in the straight, he was really strong over the final stages.
“Getting him back to Wellington is going to be key. He has won down there and that big, roomy track with his action is really going to suit.
“He is an exciting horse going forward and I am looking forward to Saturday with him.”
Bred by Trelawney Thoroughbreds, Witz End was purchased by Pike Racing for $200,000 out of Trelawney Stud's 2022 Ready To Run draft.