"That was a Group 2 so while she still has that placing, losing that race was quite costly for her broodmare value," he explains.
"She then had no luck in the Karaka Million where she ran fifth after missing the kick and was probably over the top when she ran fifth in the Matamata Breeders.
"So while she has that Group 2 placing we would like a black-type win and we think we have an ideal programme for her to get one.
"She can race this Saturday, have a five-week break to the $60,000 final of this series back at Ruakaka and then two weeks to the Ryder Stakes which is a Listed race to end the season.
"That is a nice little winter campaign that could make her a black-type winner and then in the spring, at this stage, she is likely to join Henry Dwyer's stable in Victoria."
So will Pacific Dragon, the best performed juvenile in the race, make the most of barrier four?
"I think she probably will. She trialled well to get ready for this and she has class on them," says Pike. "She is fresh-up after a long time away but she can jump and run handy and that is a real advantage at Ruakaka."
Pike also has Patton in the race, the compact colt already an Ellerslie winner and set to get a run handy to the speed, but while Pike says he has not finished winning yet, Pacific Dragon is the stable's clear best chance.
Pike will send only one other horse north for the meeting which hosts eight qualifying races for the Whangārei series, with a finals meeting at Ruakaka on July 16.
"Magic Show (R7, No 7) is a nice filly who is fresh for this week but won a trial recently so she should race well albeit from a tricky draw."
Meanwhile, the bulk of Pike's Queensland team has returned after campaigns where chances were washed away by rain.
"The whole campaign was a mess. Once it rained that hard it was tough to work them, tough to race on. But most of them are home safe and well.
"Letzbeglam [Eagle Farm, R9, No 10] is still over there and races on Saturday."