Trainer Tony Pike lined up three promising juveniles at Ellerslie on Saturday and went within inches of a special trifecta in the Network Visuals 1200 (1200m).

Two-year-old Spirit Of Boom gelding Boombox headed home the Pike trio with debutant Ashoka closing off strongly to take second, while stablemate and fellow debutant Happy Youmzain took fourth just a nose away from race favourite Pacific Dream in third.

Rider Triston Moodley had Boombox relaxed outside Ocean Rules as the pair dictated a steady speed throughout the 1200m contest. Pushed to the lead early in the run home, Boombox fought bravely to hold out a late challenge from Ashoka in the final 150m to win by a head in a handy 1.12.91 on the Soft7 surface.

It was just the second run on raceday for Boombox who had finished fifth at Ellerslie behind Lucy In The Sky back in February with Pike noting that experience may have played a crucial role in the final result.

“I think the raceday experience of the winner paid off as he (Boombox) put himself up on speed and they didn’t go overly quick,” Pike said.

“Ashoka has come back late and may have got a bit lost when he got out into the clear, while Happy Youmzain didn’t have that much luck as he was three deep and just peaked late.

“They are three very nice horses going forward.”

Pike wasn’t sure about what paths the trio would take next although he envisaged only one might continue on racing in the coming month.

“We will reassess after this, but one of them may stay on for the Ruakaka series, although a couple of them will definitely head to the paddock,” he said.

“I think all three will go on and I do really like the prospects of the second (Ashoka) and fourth (Happy Youmzain) horses looking ahead.”

Pike was referring to the $60,000 ITM/GIB 2YO Winter Championship Final at Ruakaka later this month, with all three of his team handily placed to make the field for the event if they are to progress towards it.

Bred by Alan Jones and Edwina Morris, Boombox was purchased for $50,000 by Jim Bruford under his Brewers Bloodstock banner from the Berkley Stud Book 2 draft at Karaka in 2024.