Cambridge trainer Tony Pike is ready to up the ante with his Stryker three-year-old Rangipo after the gelding produced a comprehensive winning performance at Tauranga.

The long-striding bay made it three wins from his last four starts after dominating his rivals in the O’Connor Warren Insurance Stakes (1400m).  “He’s a horse we’ve always had a lot of time for but he has taken a little while to learn what the game is all about,” Pike said on Saturday.  “But the penny has dropped in his last couple of starts.”

Rangipo will go to the paddock before coming back for the G1 New Zealand Derby (2400m) in March.  “He was very professional today,” Pike continued.  “He relaxed nicely outside the leader and showed good acceleration.”

The son of Three Bridges Thoroughbreds stallion Stryker had won at Taupo and Rotorua earlier this season.  “He has always appealed as a type who will get over ground.  He is out of a Zabeel mare so the blood is there to suggest he will stay.

“This win has probably put him over the threshold of prize-money needed to get a start in the Derby and that’s a bonus at this stage.”

Rangipo’s Kiwi bred dam Holloway 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).

In Australia, Stryker was represented by his latest winner when Baggio was successful in a Gosford maiden on Thursday.  The Gerald Ryan trained gelding cost $220,000 at the 2014 Gold Coast Magic Millions – the most expensive yearling from his sire’s first crop.

Three Bridges stands Stryker for an $11,000 (inc gst) service fee.

RANGIPO