Exciting 3-year-old Pareanui Bay made it three wins from three starts when he won the Listed Eagle Memorial 3YO (1500m) at Te Aroha yesterday.
The Tony Pike-trained Lonhro gelding hadn't been seen since recording a stunning win in the Group 2 Memorial Stakes (1400m) at Te Rapa last month and was sent out a dominant $1.90 favourite on the strength of that performance and a strong midweek trial.
Rider Michael McNab had the longstriding individual away well from the starting gates and he strode forward to sit outside pacemaker La Crique, who most felt would be the biggest threat to him after her win at Tauranga a fortnight ago.
McNab had Pareanui Bay travelling sweetly on the home bend and he sent him to the lead early in the run home, where he looked set to record a comfortable victory.
That wasn't the case, as Pareanui Bay was inclined to loaf over the concluding stages, looking to go to the line with plenty in hand but only recording a short neck victory over runner-up Flash Mary, with La Crique the same margin away in third.