The cream rose to the top at Ruakaka on Saturday when Sacred Falls (NZ) sounded an ominous warning to New Zealand’s three-year-old division.

Sacred Falls (3c O’Reilly – Iguazu’s Girl by Redoute’s Choice) was unbeaten in two juvenile appearances last season and he continued on where he’d left off with an impressive performance to claim the LR Westbury Stud Challenge Stakes.

The well-related colt settled kindly behind the pace for rider Leith Innes before angling into the clear on straightening.  He went to the post powerfully to keep his unbeaten record intact and remain on target for the G2 Hawke’s Bay Guineas on October 6 and G1 NZ 2000 Guineas at Riccarton in November.

“Sacred Falls has an ideal temperament and will improve on that run,” trainer Tony Pike said.  “I’ve been happy with the his work and he beat our nice filly Waterford in a gallop at Taupo last Monday.”

The winner is by Waikato Stud champion O’Reilly and his dam Iguazu’s Girl is a winning half-sister to G3 Thoroughbred Club Stakes winner Splashing Out (O’Reilly).  The latter is the dam of G2 Angus Armanasco Stakes winner Shopaholic (Pins).