Lanikai puts best foot forward

Ocean Park’s son Lanikai (ex Oahu) finally got his act together at Taupo on Monday afternoon to deliver a long overdue victory.

The four-year-old has threatened to break through on numerous occasions with three previous runner-up finishes and a further five minor placings.

“He’s been a frustrating horse, he’s got all the ability in the world but his manners have let him down. It wasn’t a strong field and we thought he’d win and win well,” trainer Tony Pike said.

Bred and part-owned by Waikato Stud, Lanikai sat three back on the outer and produced a sustained finish for a comfortable win over 1800 metres in the hands of Ryan Elliot.

“He got a lovely trip and finally put it all together,” Pike said.

“Hopefully, the penny has dropped and he’s a talented horse who can go through the grades.”

Pike went to $165,000 to purchase Lanikai at Karaka and his half-sister by Super Seth will be offered by the Matamata nursery as Lot 155 during the Book 1 session of New Zealand Bloodstock’s upcoming National Yearling Sale.

They are out of the unraced O’Reilly mare Oahu who is a half-sister to the multiple Macau stakes winner Sacred Capital.

Their dam Honolulu is a three-quarter sister to the Gr.2 Tulloch Stakes winner Wymark and half-sister to four-time elite level winner and Group 1 producer Alamosa.