3YO makes perfect start to career

Surely Sacred pictured as a yearling (Photo credit: Trish Dunell)

Tony Pike can see a bright future for Rock ‘n’ Pop’s son Surely Sacred, who made a winning debut at Te Rapa today.

Off the back of a trial success, he overcame an awkward barrier and a wide run to triumph for rider Leith Innes.

“He’s a very attractive-looking horse and it was a good effort to sit three deep and win,” Pike said.

“He’s still a bit new and green so it’s a promising start to his career.”

Surely Sacred was bred and sold by Waikato Stud and was a $160,000 Karaka purchase for Raffles Racing.

He is out of the Masterclass mare Not Sure, a half-sister to the South African Group One winner Taupo Retreat.

Surely Sacred is a half-brother to the dam of Pike’s Gr.1 Queensland Oaks winner Provocative.

Recent News
12 June 2026

Friendships, fate and a first winner

Ocean Park filly Bridie delivered apprentice Tom Wingram his first career winner at New Plymouth today — a moment made possible by three decades of friendship and the racing gods aligning perfectly.

Read More
9 June 2026

Archibald Racing open Noverre’s account with debut winner

The next chapter in Noverre’s journey as a sire has begun, with the Waikato Stud-bred stallion’s WS-bred son, Hailstones (ex Cool Storm), becoming the first winner for the Group 1-winning son of Savabeel.

Read More