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Sacred Master all class at Hastings
October 12, 2015
Promising galloper Sacred Master stamped himself as a future star of the staying ranks with a comfortable win at Hastings on the weekend.
Successful on the first day of the three-day Hawkes Bay spring carnival back in August the powerful son of Mastercraftsman ran into traffic trouble when a fast closing fifth behind Jimmy Mac a fortnight ago.
Ridden closer to the speed on Saturday, Sacred Master displayed a devastating turn of foot as he powered to the lead halfway down the run home before comfortably holding his rivals out at the winning post.
“We’ve always had a big opinion of him and he’s starting to come to it nicely now he has matured a little more,” noted trainer Tony Pike.
“He still has a wee way to go but as he gets older he will continue to strengthen up and I think he could be a real Cups horse this time next year.
“He was very unlucky on the middle day when he got too far off them and struck trouble during the race but this time Leith (Innes) had him in a beautiful spot behind the speed and he finished it off nicely.”
Pike will now send his charge to the spelling paddock for a short break before bringing him back with the Ellerslie Christmas Carnival in mind.
“He’ll have a few days in the paddock now before we bring him back in,” he said.
“At this stage the Dunstan Feeds Championship Final at Ellerslie on New Year’s Day is the aim so we will work out a schedule to get him there while he is having a break.”
Pike also reported dual Group One winner Sacred Star was making good progress after being back in work for about three weeks. A tilt at the Gr. 1 Railway Stakes on New Year’s Day is the immediate aim for the son of Flying Spur before he attempts to defend both his Gr. 1 Telegraph and NRM Sprint titles later in the summer. – NZ Racing Desk
story and photo from NZ Racing