4 Win Saturday - Balance Of Power-ful

Given a first-class ride by Rory Hutchings, Balance Of Power (4 g Almanzor – Respin, by Power) recorded a stylish win in the $40,000 Gavelhouse Rating 75 2000 metres on Saturday at Matamata.

Having recorded a strong second-up victory in the Rating 65 1600 metres on 4 January at Te Aroha, Balance Of Power stepped up with second to subsequent winner Aftermath (Rock 'N' Pop) in the Rating 75 2100 metres on 27 January at Tauranga, and rated a top three chance from barrier seven.

Fourth on the rail with a lap to run, Balance Of Power was able to sit off the speed, travelled sweetly, quickened into the clear at the 350m and stretched out really well to win with plenty of conviction.

It was the type of ride that gave the horse every chance and followed on from Hutchings winning aboard stable-mate I Am Nutz (I Am Invincible) during the week at Te Aroha, which created a milestone 700 wins for the talented jockey.

“The run we had was the winning of the race, for sure,” Hutchings said. “We were able to jump well, where as in the past he could be a bit slow.

“We ended up behind the speed and they ran along (good tempo) the whole way.

“We had to be a little bit patient on the corner, but soon as the horse outside the leader dropped-off we were straight through and he just had to quicken up half a length to beat that lot.

“I keep an eye on my milestones and stats, and it was good to achieve that (700 wins) on Wednesday.”

On Good4 footing, Balance Of Power ran 2000 metres in 2:04.3, last 600m in 34.9, and drifted from an earlier fixed odds quote of $7.50 & $2.70 to pay $15.10 & $3.80 on the NZ TAB tote. 

“Rory was positive, got a lovely track into the race, presented at the right time, and I suppose the horse just took natural improvement at his second time over ground,” said Sam Bergerson, who trains with Mark Walker.

“We’ve always thought a bit of him. He’s come back in good order this time and stringing a few nice performances together. Hopefully he can go on with it and he can end up a nice cups horse. 

“He went through a patch of being a touch disappointing early on, but he’s coming right now.”

Owned by J O Anderson, DJ Bloodstock Partnership, M K Durling, GN & CM Bloodstock Ltd, J F & Mrs P L Hepburn, C W Kwok, R Lau, T N Simpson, Te Akau Stud & Westonlea Bloodstock, he was bought by David Ellis CNZM for $300,000, at the 2022 Karaka Book 1 Sale, from the draft of Cambridge Stud. 

“Te Akau has always a great relationship with the sponsor Gavelhouse and we created a world record with them when we sold Avantage on their online platform for $4.1 million,” Ellis said.

“It’s a great thrill each time this horse wins because I’ve got so many of my good mates in the ownership.

“He’s been a little bit up and down with his form, but the way he won today suggests we’ll have a lot more fun him.”

A lovely type of horse, correct and a good mover, with plenty of substance, Balance Of Power is by one of the best credentialed stallions shuttled to New Zealand in the last decade. Almanzor (Wotton Bassett) was European Champion Three-Year-Old and claimed the same titles in Ireland and France. He now stands permanently at Cambridge Stud.

From his first crop of yearlings, in 2021 at Karaka, Ellis purchased Dynastic for Te Akau 2021 Stallion Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM), rewarding everyone at his second start when becoming the sixth of eight Karaka Million 2YO (Restricted Listed, 1200m) winners for the stable.

The dam of Balance Of Power, Respin, by talented sire Power (Oasis Dream), displayed very good racing attributes in a short career, which included winning the Listed NZB Insurance Stakes (1600m). She is a half-sister to Dame Margo Fonteyn (High Chaparral), trained by Te Akau and also a mare with good ability won two of her six starts. 

Third dam, Dancing Forever, impressed winning four times up to 2000 metres and showed plenty of athleticism and a great turn of foot. Proving herself as a broodmare, she left six individual winners of 13 races. 

Te Akau has also had success this season with Almanzor mare Mehzebeen, when she recorded a winning double in the Listed Metropolitan Trophy (2600m) and Group 3 New Zealand Cup (3200m) during Cup Week in November at Riccarton.

While last season Nucleozor (Almanzor) won all three starts, including the Listed Welcome Stakes (1000m), on his way to becoming South Island Champion Two-Year-Old, before selling to Hong Kong. His stable-mate and sister Qali Al Farrasha placed in both the Group 3 Sunline Vase (2100m) and Group 1 New Zealand Oaks (2400m) last season, and most recently finished runner-up in the Group 1 Thorndon Mile (1600m). 

 Balance Of Power was strapped by Errol (Egg Roll) Rich.

Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz