Te Rapa Double - Marlborough Bay Brave

Capping a day of terrific racing at Te Rapa, Malborough Bay (4 g Darci Brahma – Spin ‘N Grin, by Spinning World) won the $35,000 Maneline Rating 65 1400 metres on Saturday. 

After producing a good effort for second in the Rating 65 1400 metres on 27 March at Matamata, Malborough Bay struck conditions beyond him when footing downgraded to Heavy10 in Rating 65 1400 metres on 13 April at Otaki, but bounced back under a positive ride by Craig Grylls.

Beginning well from barrier three to lead at a solid clip, Malborough Bay was joined to his inside by Don Pauly at the 400m and the pair set down to a home straight battle that saw them separated by only a nose at the finish.

“It was a lovely ride by Craig (Grylls) and a terrific effort by Malborough Bay to hold the other horse off in a close finish,” said Mark Walker, who trains him with Sam Bergerson.

“We love it when the big hurdles are back up at Matamata, and he schooled well over them during the week which could go some way to turning his form around today.

“He has a good affinity with the track at Te Rapa, too. Bart Cowan, the track manager does an incredible job. He will now look to head back to Te Rapa in three weeks time.”

On footing that remained Soft6 throughout the programme, and perfect for what Malborough Bay has shown to prefer, he ran 1400 metres in 1:25.4, last 600m in 35.5 (approx.), and paid handsomely ($16.60 & $4.90) on the NZ TAB tote.

From a family that Te Akau has great affinity, Malborough Bay won on debut as a two-year-old, placed in the War Decree Stakes (Gr. 3, 1600m) at three, and continues to race well after winning earlier this season at Matamata.

Bred by Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM and Glenn and Catherine Holmes, Malborough Bay is owned by Fortuna Racing Syndications (Mgr: John Galvin), which continues on a roll of four wins in the past fortnight.

Sponsor Rohan Kamo from Maneline said: “Congratulations John (Galvin) to you and the owners of Malborough Bay. 

“It’s lovely that we can sponsor and support the racing industry, because without it we don’t function.

“We supply horse shoes and farrier tools and it’s nice to get all the horses around to the start feeling sound and happy.”

In reply, on behalf of the owners, John Galvin said: “Shane Thompson reminded me that the finish was very similar to a win by Melody Belle in the Foxbridge Plate here four or five years ago, where we had to wait for the Judge’s call.

“Malborough Bay, he’s a bit hard to catch, but his third win, and I think the winning of the race was at the start when Craig (Grylls) got him out first and he’s a lovely strong rider.

“It’s a big group of owners, including Ian Upson who has had over 150 wins with Fortuna over the past 12 or 13 years. Ollie and Hazel Lawrence, here, have been in quite a few successful horses, and Mark (Walker) has just sent me a message from Adelaide, where he is with the Te Akau horses today.

“He’s a well loved horse and will be back to Rating 75 now, so that will be a further challenge for him.”

“Mark Walker trained the dam, Spin ‘n Grin, and she was very good,” said Te Akau principal David Ellis CNZM, who bought her for $65,000 at the 2003 New Zealand Bloodstock Premier Yearling Sale, and since bred progeny from the mare. 

“Spin ‘n Grin won the Eight Carat Classic (Gr. 2, 1600m) at only her fourth start, finished third a week later in the Royal Stakes (Gr. 2, 2000m), and she was an unlucky second at her seventh start, in the New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (Gr. 1, 1600m). 

“Karyn (Fenton-Ellis MNZM) and Glenn and Cathie Holmes bred Malborough Bay and he’s another good winner for Fortuna Racing (Mgr: John Galvin) and the owners.”

Malborough Bay was strapped by Kohen Collett. 

Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz