Trish Dunell
Cambridge trainer Tony Pike might be enjoying a purple patch across the Tasman, but on Wednesday he unearthed a filly on the home-front that looks destined to go to the upper grades.
Two-year-old filly Loire relished the Dead4 track presented at Hawke’s Bay and closed from well-back in the field to win the Nufarm 2YO (1200m) impressively under a hold in the hands of jockey Michael McNab.
The daughter of Redoute’s Choice is out of Syrah, making her a half-sister to Group One winner A Touch Of Ruby.
Loire finished seventh on debut behind Avadane at Matamata, but showed her gears when successful at second time of asking.
“We thought she’d get away a bit cleaner and we’d ride her positively, but Michael didn’t panic, he elected to stay inside, and she bulldozed her way through. She is pretty classy,” Pike’s racing manager Dean Williams said.
“She is well-bred, and she has got the looks to match and now she is showing she has got the ability.”
Loire was bred by Trelawney Stud and is raced by principals Brent and Cherry Taylor in conjunction with their friend Kate Plaw of Takapoto Farm in Karapiro.
"Kate and her husband are good friends of ours," said Brent Taylor.
"This is Kate's first share in a racehorse and we are hoping this one will get her hooked."-NZ Racing Desk
