Derby Day Double - Grp 3 Darley Plate to Splurge

Date: 4 Mar 2017

Derby Day Double - Grp 3 Darley Plate to Splurge
Te Akau Racing scored a huge Derby Day double - the first with Group 3 winner Splurge ...

The best looking horse in the race, Splurge (4 g Savabeel - Splashing Out, by O'Reilly) announced himself as a sprinter of note in the $100,000 Darley Plate (Gr. 3, 1200m) on Derby Day, March 4, at Ellerslie.

Continuing to step up in every respect, Splurge has now won six of his ten starts, including four from five this time in (unlucky in the other) and may have earned himself a trip to Brisbane.

“He's always been a racehorse and he just knows where the winning post is, doesn't matter if it's a good track or a wet track,” said Stephen Autridge, who trains the horse with Jamie Richards.

“He's come a long way in a short time and we'll go home and make sure he's come through it alright, but he's up to it and we're definitely looking at going to Brisbane.”

Following a terrific preliminary, which exuded power, as he went down with his head tucked, Splurge was back off a wide gate before rider Opie Bosson took a risk and pressed the button at the 1000m. The move paid off, as he slotted in fifth at the 800m, ranged wide to challenge mid-straight the final 150m was that off a serious galloper.

Splurge ran the 1200 metres in 1:09.2, last 600m in 34.2, and paid $6.00 & $2.00 on the tote and $6.50 & $2.20 fixed odds, winning by one and quarter lengths.

“He's a very nice horse and he's just starting to realise just how good he is,” Bosson said. “He's starting to get more relaxed, his attitude has changed and it was a good win today.

“He chased down the horse in front of him and won easily in the end.”

A stunning individual owned by the 2014 Te Akau Breeding Syndicate, after being purchased by David Ellis for $500,000 at the New Zealand Bloodstock Premier Yearling Sale, from the draft of Waikato Stud, Splurge remained unbeaten in three starts on the course, backing up a $50,000 race win on Boxing Day and $27,500 Rating 85 1200-metre win a fortnight ago that vindicated a crack at the Darley.

Ellis was first to congratulate the Auckland Racing Club on a fantastic day of racing, when, as syndicate manager he accepted the spoils on behalf of the owners.

“It's great to see so many people here enjoying a great day of racing. The track is fantastic and I'd like to congratulate all your staff, Cameron George, for putting on such a great day.

“It's a real thrill to win the Darley Plate with what is developing into a terrific racehorse. They are a fantastic group of owners that are incredibly supportive of everything we've done at Te Akau.

“This is the same syndicate that owns (Champion Three-Year-Old) Xtravagant. We bought four horses for the breeding syndicate that year, they've all won, around twenty wins, many black type races and there is a lot more to come after what we saw today from Splurge.

“Steve and Jamie have done a wonderful job of training this horse and he was sensationally ridden by our stable jockey Opie Bosson.

Ellis also paid tribute to the sponsorship of Darley.

“It is great to have you in New Zealand, and great to see you buy at the Karaka Sale.”

Darley representative, Head of Sponsorship and Marketing, Tom Seymour, said: “The support we have during out visits to New Zealand, for the sales and during these key race days, is outstanding and we could not be made more welcome by the racing club and the New Zealand breeders.

“It is nice for Sheikh Mohammed to put something back in by the way of sponsorship and I'm sure that he would be thrilled to see a network of owners that are living the dream, and long may that dream continue for you. It looks as though with Splurge you have something pretty special.”

In addition to the sponsorship, the winning breeder, Waikato Stud, will receive a free service to Kermadec who stands for $22,000 at Darley, Australia. Interestingly, a previous mating, courtesy of the sponsorship arrangement, to Bernardini resulted in the Karaka Million winner Ruud Awakening.

Karyn Fenton-Ellis said: “Darley is a world powerhouse in racing and the fact that they give recognition to be involved in the New Zealand racing industry is very significant to us and we pass on our thanks to Sheikh Mohammed.

Fenton-Ellis said, that as the President of a racing club she realises how important these types of sponsorships are.

“The Auckland Racing Club does things professionally and has once again prepared a track that is world-class.

“This team of owners have been with us for many years. They back David's judgement to buy horses for them at the sales, have had marked success with the horses in this syndicate and we could not do what we do without them. They are simply magic and not just our owners but also our friends.

“Steve and Jamie are on fire. We are proud of the older wise owl and the young up and comer, and having Opie Bosson back as our stable rider, as we all know he is head and shoulders above his peers; he's just a genius in the saddle.”

Splurge was strapped by Teina Walters.
Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz

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