Photo: Trish Dunell
The Gr.1 Vodafone New Zealand Derby (2400m) remains on Pareanui Bay’s radar, although Cambridge trainer Tony Pike does admit to reservations about the Classic being his most suitable autumn target.
Pareanui Bay has excelled in a brief career to date and will bid to add to his record in Saturday’s Gr.2 Life Direct Wellington Guineas (1400m). His performance at Trentham will prompt a round table chat with breeder-owner Trelawney Stud on the three-year-old’s future.
“We will have a discussion after the weekend and make our minds up. He could stay here for the Levin Classic (Gr.1, 1600m), I personally don’t think he’s a Derby horse and think he’s a bit too brilliant for that,” Pike said.
“Obviously, Sydney is still an option as well. He could have a freshen-up for 10 days or so and then something like the Hobartville Stakes (Gr.2, 1400m) into the Randwick Guineas (Gr.1, 1600m) and the Rosehill Guineas (Gr.1, 2000m).”
Pareanui Bay’s first three wins included successes in the Gr.2 Sarten Memorial (1400m) and the Listed Eagle Memorial (1500m) before he suffered his first defeat when a close second in the Listed Uncle Remus Stakes (1400m).
“He was pretty unlucky the other day, as well as the bad barrier he got knocked over on the corner and then bumped again at the 200m and still went close,” Pike said.
“It was a bit unfortunate to lose that unbeaten tag, but such is racing. He galloped brilliantly on Tuesday and it’s probably not the strongest Wellington Guineas we’ve seen and barring bad luck, I’d think he’d go very, very close.” -NZ Racing Desk