Move To Strike added elite level performance to his rich pedigree and handsome looks when the Te Akau-trained youngster blitzed his rivals in Saturday’s G1 Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes at Trentham.
The Gerry Harvey-bred son of I Am Invincible significantly boosted his future stallion value with a stellar performance to post his second victory from four appearances.
The colt had showed his ability at the first time of asking when an impressive debut winner at Te Rapa before Christmas and then finished runner-up on New Year’s Day in the G2 Eclipse Stakes.
The Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson-prepared Move To Strike subsequently suffered a heart arrythmia when fifth in the G3 Matamata Slipper and he bounced back in the best possible fashion at Trentham.
“We’ve always thought the world of him and he paraded so well. He’s just a top-quality colt,” Bergerson said.
“He had that problem at Matamata and we ran an ECG check and everything was fine so we gave him a quiet week.
“We built him up slowly and then trialled him against the older horses at Taupo to see where we were at.
“Opie rode him and gave him the tick of approval and his work last Tuesday was top notch, so we went in quietly confident, and he showed what a good colt he is.”
Wiremu Pinn was entrusted with the ride on Move To Strike in the Sires’ Produce and he rewarded the faith placed in him by Te Akau.
“He travelled really well and I just wanted to keep him relaxed and he showed a really good turn of foot, he’s a superstar,” Pinn said.
Move To Strike settled a clear last before improving widest on the turn and he thundered home down the outside to win by a comfortable length.
“Next time in, he’ll win Group 1 after Group 1 and I really want to thank Te Akau for the opportunity to ride him,” Pinn said.
Move To Strike was purchased out of Baramul Stud’s draft at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale by Te Akau’s David Ellis for A$525,000.
A half-brother to five winners including Group performer Discharged, he is a son of the Shamardal mare No Evidence Needed.
She was a gifted performer who won the G2 Let’s Elope Stakes and G3 Southern Cross Stakes and a dual Group 1 runner-up in the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes and Schweppes Oaks.