Cambridge trainer Tony Pike will head into the first day of the Bostock New Zealand Spring Racing Carnival at Hastings this Saturday with some added firepower thanks to the circumstances created by the abandonment of racing at Taupo last Wednesday.

With the Taupo meeting called off after four races, Pike’s promising filly Kali (Darci Brahma) missed out on making her spring debut in the 1100m three-year-old fillies race scheduled on the day.

That race has now been added to the Hastings programme with Pike confident of a good performance from his charge who impressed many good judges when winning stylishly first-up at the venue back in April.

“We’re philosophical about missing the run at Taupo the other day, given the race has been rescheduled to Hastings,” Pike said.

“She (Kali) had trialled up well beforehand and was ready for the run so the delay won’t have any effect on her.

“It might actually be a blessing in disguise as she had drawn badly at Taupo so hopefully she might cop a draw a little closer in this time, while the weather forecast looks pretty good so the track should be nigh on perfect.

“She is going to Te Rapa on Monday for a gallop and then we will just keep her ticking over until raceday.”

-NZ Racing Desk