Shark Confirmed for Couplands

The Informant reports:

Te Akau Shark has been confirmed for the Coupland's Bakeries Mile after connections considered their options on both sides of the Tasman.

After scintillating wins at his two starts this spring, the Jamie Richards-trained chestnut had been heavily backed for the Group Two feature on the middle day of the New Zealand Cup carnival. Punters who have backed him down to $1.90 favouritism for the Coupland's Mile will be relieved to know that Te Akau principal David Ellis has today confirmed that he will remain in New Zealand and head south.

“We looked at the Cantala Stakes on Derby day at Flemington, but after talking to the handicapper it's likely that he might struggle to make the field,” Ellis told The Informant this morning. “So we've decided he can go to Riccarton, the Coupland's looks like the right race for him at this stage.”

Te Akau Shark took his record to four wins from five starts when he blew away his rivals in the Gr. 3 Red Badge Spring Sprint at Hastings last week. He received a rerating of nine points for that win, taking him to 95.

“We're expecting him to get enough weight for Opie (Bosson) to ride him at Riccarton,” added Ellis. “I'm thrilled with the way that he has got his weight down and to see him riding winners again.”