Tony Pike has tipped Harlow Rocks as the stable’s best chance of stakes success at Taupo on Friday.

The Cambridge trainer will be represented by the in-form Roc de Cambes filly and the promising Sign Of Peace in take two of the Gr.2 Little Avondale Lowland Stakes (2000m) following the abandonment of last week’s Hastings meeting.

“That was very disappointing the other day, but they both need a lead-up to the New Zealand Oaks (Gr.1, 2400m) so we’ll head to Taupo and see how we go,” Pike said.

To be ridden again by Ryan Elliot, Harlow Rocks produced a strong front-running performance last time out to finish runner-up to Molly Bloom in the Gr.2 David & Karyn Ellis Fillies’ Classic (2000m) at Te Rapa.

“She’s got the runs on the board and she puts herself up on speed and the Taupo track should suit her,” Pike said.

“She is clearly the favoured one and Sign Of Peace stepping up to 2000m will help her, but she is jumping up in class so we’ll find out where she fits in.”

Preferment’s daughter Sign Of Peace broke her maiden two runs back at Te Rapa under Michael McNab, who rides her again, and with placings from her other three appearances has made an encouraging start to her career.

Harlow Rocks is currently an $8 equal third favourite in the market for the Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand Oaks at Trentham on Saturday-week with Sign Of Peace at $41.

“Ideally, it would be nice to get them both there as long as they race well and pull up well,” Pike said.

-Paul Vettise, loveracing.nz