The Conqueror Does Just That

Beaten a whisker at his previous start, Mongolianconqueror (3 g Ocean Park - Queen Rania, by The Jogger) set the record straight by winning the $10,000 Cooney Lees Morgan Maiden 1600 metres on 20 October at Tauranga.

Purchased for $130,000 by David Ellis from the draft of Kiltannon Stables at the 2016 New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sales, Mongolianconqueror is owned by the Inner Mongolia Rider Horse Industry (NZ) & Te Akau Conqueror Syndicate, and broke through at his third start.

“It's a very exciting day in the history of Te Akau Racing, a very proud day, because this is the first horse the Rider Horse Club and Te Akau have had together, and he races in their red colours,” Ellis said.

“At the same Ready to Run sale I bought (dual winner) Te Akau Shark, and it's so exciting to have this horse with Mr. Wolf. He's a wonderful man to train for, is doing huge things for the New Zealand industry and it's great to have him as part of the Te Akau team.”

Drawn wide (11), Mongolianconqueror began well for Michael Coleman and after being wide in midfield he pressed forward to secure cover in fifth passing the 1000 metres. Ranging at will around the home turn, he lengthened to lead a furlong out and went again when challenged to his inner over the concluding stages.

Favoured in betting, he continued to shorten and returned $1.60 & $1.10 on the NZ TAB tote, after running the mile on Dead4 footing in 1:37.0, last 600m in 36.2, winning by a long head.

“He's a nice horse,” said Coleman, who was aboard last time out at Ruakaka. “He was stuck out wide a bit early, but then got some cover. He still has plenty to learn, got a bit lost when he hit the front but fought back strongly when the other horse came at him.

“I think there is quite a bit of upside to him and he should run a trip. He certainly gives the feeling of a horse that run over more distance,” he said.

Stephen Autridge, co-trainer with Jamie Richards, said: “He's been a tricky horse to train, but getting better and better every day.

“He was a little green coming around the corner (home turn) and looked as though he could have been beaten, but kicked again when he saw the other horse and I think there is more improvement in him.

“He is that (Derby) sort of horse. How we would get there, we'll have to work that out but the further he goes the better he should be.”

Mongolianconqueror became the 14th winner in the past month for the Te Akau NZ trainers, currently third in the premiership with an enviable 4.2 strike rate.

“I've been saying for awhile now that Ocean Park is an exciting stallion,” Ellis said. “We've got a number in the stable that are going to win races and this horse will go to the next level. I was really impressed with the way he fought like a tiger.

“Again, I was thrilled for the staff because it's been a long winter. But all their hard work and dedication is starting to pay off and it's an exciting time: October-November for Te Akau because we win a lot of races in these months when the firmer tracks come.”

Mongolianconqueror was strapped by Raj Rasheed.

Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz