Rudyard powers to Pukekohe victory

The Tony Pike-trained Rudyard produced a storming late finish at Pukekohe on Saturday afternoon to account for his Rating 65 rivals over 1600 metres.

The son of Charm Spirit had finished an encouraging fourth when opening his campaign on the course earlier this month and showed the benefit of that outing to make it three wins from 14 appearances.

Part-owned by Waikato Stud, Rudyard drifted back to last from his outside gate before rider Ryan Elliot worked his magic in the straight.

He made ground along the fence before having to change ground 75 metres off the post, but kept his mount balanced and they got home in a grandstand finish.

Rudyard is a son of Savabeel’s dual Group 2-winning daughter Lady Kipling and was purchased by Pike for $280,000 out of Windsor Park Stud’s draft at Karaka.