Stryker gelding Rangipo firmed into a $5 favourite for the G1 New Zealand Derby after a tenacious victory in the G2 Avondale Guineas (2100m) on Saturday.

The Tony Pike-trained three-year-old did best in a driving finish at Ellerslie.  “He’s an amazing horse as he’s been in work a long time and he just keeps turning up,” Pike said.  “He’s a really honest racehorse and quite a fast one as well!”

Rangipo travelled behind the leaders on the fence and, as he did in winning the G2 Waikato Guineas, fought tooth and nail in the straight under Vinnie Colgan.  He’s the first horse Pike has prepared for prominent owner-breeders John and Margaret Thompson.

The up-and-coming three year-old is by Three Bridges Thoroughbreds’ foundation sire Stryker (Fastnet Rock).  His Kiwi bred dam Holloway (Zabeel) won at Te Awamutu and she is a half-sister to Maze (G2 Awapuni Cup), Barlinnie (LR Sunshine Coast Cup) and Penitentiary (LR Geelong Classic).

Stryker had sired a winning double in his home State on Friday with She’ll Strykeya (Werribee) and Labdien (Moonee Valley).

Labdien is trained by Chris Waller for Debbie Kepitis who part-owned and still supports Stryker.  The filly had won twice at Warwick Farm before travelling south and she is the second winner for stakes-placed mare Bold Moment (Fasliyev).

Three Bridges Thoroughbreds also weighed in with its promising graduate Supido at Moonee Valley.  The Sebring four year-old is unbeaten this campaign and looks a stakes winner of the future for trainer Mick Kent.

Supido was bred by Gilgai Farm and sold by Three Bridges (as agent) for $190,000 at the 2013 Inglis Premier.  He’s the third winner from three to race from Japanese bred mare Lady Succeed (Brian’s Time).

Stryker kept the winners rolling on Sunday with Welcome Stryker in a Super VOBIS event at Ballarat.  Trainer Danny Curran bought him for $10,000 from Moorookyle Park at the 2014 Inglis VOBIS Gold yearling sale.

Stryker has 8 entries for the Inglis Premier Yearling Sale.

RANGIPO