4 Win Saturday - Family First

On a magic day for Te Akau owners - the stable notched up four wins at Tauranga ... here's the first!

Given a lovely ride by Te Akau apprentice Jess Allen (a3), Family Ties (4 m Contributer – Glamazon, by Pins) won second-up in the $40,000 Mils Reef Rating 65 1400 metres on Saturday at Tauranga.

Allen had combined with stable-mate The Mighty Spar (Savabeel) during the week at Matamata, giving him a great ride to record consecutive victories in the South Waikato Cup (Rating 81, 2000m).

Family Ties, who last season won the Oaks Prelude (Listed, 1800m) in February at New Plymouth, had run the fastest last 600m (34.3) for fourth when resuming in the Rating 65 1200 metres on 24 February at Matamata, and appeared a top three chance if appreciative of the course at her first attempt.

Appreciative she was indeed - after beginning well to travel outside the leader, Family Ties quickened to a winning advantage early in the home straight and went through the line full of running.

“She travelled really well and was happy where she was,” said Allen, who claimed to 55kg.

On Soft5 footing that appeared to race quite fairly, Family Ties ran 1400 metres in 1:24.0, last 600m in 34.6, and paid $5.20 & $1.80 on the NZ TAB tote. 

“She’s been consistent for a long time and really deserved the win,” said co-trainer Mark Walker. 

“It was a lovely ride of Jess’s to get her up on the speed and she never looked like getting beaten. She’s just got a bit stronger in her riding now, Jess, and it’s starting to show in the finish of races. 

“We’ll see how she pulls up and pick out another suitable race, but she’s a mare that should gain good confidence from the win.” 

On course to welcome them back to the birdcage, racing manager Reece Trumper said: “That was a really good ride by Jess. 

“She’s a mare that showed good ability as a three-year-old, didn’t have things go her way in the spring and summer with tracks against her and different things, but she’s developing in the hindquarter now and we can look forward to stepping her up again to a mile.

“It’s a really good result for owners who are good friends and such great supporters of Te Akau’s, and great to win another good Saturday stake for them.” 

From a very good family, Family Ties was purchased by David Ellis CNZM for $60,000 at the 2021 New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sale, from the draft of Mapperley Stud, and is owned by Denise & John Elstob, the Duck Duck Goose Syndicate, Glenn and Catherine Holmes, and Gilbert Southworth.

“She’s going pretty well this mare and the way she won suggests that there is a bit more to come,” Ellis said.

“Mark (Walker) and Sam (Bergerson) and all the team have done a really good job preparing her for this campaign and she signalled first-up that she would go well today.

“We’re thrilled for the owners. They’re such great people who give us so much support, and they deserve every success they get.”

Her sire Contributer was a dual Group One winner to 2000 metres in Australia, while the dam of Family Ties, Glamazon, is by Champion Broodmare Sire Pins (Snippets). 

Grand-dam Glitzy (O’Reilly) won the Rotorua Stakes (Listed, 1400m) among nine wins, and left four winners of 18 races including Group Three placed Glintz, a sister to Glamazon. 

Family Ties was strapped by Zoe Ashworth. 

Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz