4 Win Saturday - Rose Triumphs in the Kiwi

Right at the top of the tree, Damask Rose (3 f Savabeel – Sombreuil, by Flying Spur) won the inaugural running of the $3.5m NZB Kiwi (Restricted Listed, 1500m) during Champions Day on Saturday at Ellerslie. 

At the Slot Auction, held on 27 February 2024 at Karaka, Te Akau principal David Ellis CNZM outlaid $675,000 to secure entry for three years to the richest ever horse race held in New Zealand.

Earmarked as their representative as early as last spring, after running fastest last 600m (33.1) for third in the Gold Trail Stakes (Gr. 3, 1200m), Damask Rose resumed with an impressive win on Waikato Cup Day (14 Dec.) at Te Rapa, ran fastest last 600m (34.3) for sixth in the Auckland Guineas (Gr. 2, 1400m), when getting back last from the outside gate (11), on Boxing Day at Ellerslie, and returned to the course when proving too classy in the $1.5m TAB Karaka Millions 3YO (Restricted Listed, 1600m) on 25 January.

Given a quiet time by trainers Mark Walker & Sam Bergerson ahead of the NZB Kiwi, she topped off her preparation quickening through near rail to win the Group & Listed trial on 26 February at Taupo.

Stripped looking a picture, Damask Rose bided her time at the rear in the hotly contested 14-horse race, stood the leader 10 lengths at the 600m, but received a saloon passage a long the rail and sprinted clear at the 100m to win by one and a half lengths. 

She was ridden to victory by Melbourne premiership leading jockey Blake Shinn, who was also aboard for the Karaka Millions 3YO (Restricted Listed, 1600m), and earlier on the card made history on stable-mate Return To Conquer in the Sistema Stakes (Gr. 1, 1200m) to provide Te Akau Racing with their 100th Group One victory.

“She (Damask Rose) was a bit slow into stride, so we had to go to Plan B and ride her quietly, but the speed was quick,” Shinn said.

“I was contemplating coming wide, but the way the race was set up I had to look for inside runs and they came and she was good enough to capitalize.

“She’s a really good horse. I rode her in the Karaka Millions 2YO (second), won the Karaka Millions 3YO, and it’s really special to win the inaugural running of the Kiwi race.

“I’m delighted to win for Te Akau, it’s pretty special.

“She showed an electric turn of foot and a real desire to savage the line. She pinned her ears back, this was her target all prep, and I’m just delighted. 

“I’m thankful to David Ellis. As we know, he’s a legend in the game, great selector of horses, and when get on one their horses you’ve got a lot of confidence.

“It means a lot. Deep down, I’m quite emotional. We won the Group One with Return To Conquer and with Te Akau it a big family environment and they embrace me as a part of it.

“They’ve got the good horses, they need results, and this is what it’s about for their ownership base.

“She’s right up there. She’s a really great filly. This (win) is a reflection of her ability, but she’s got a lot more to offer, I think. 

“She’ll train on and she’s a Group One winner in the making.”

On Soft5 footing, Damask Rose ran 1500 metres in 1:29.9, last 600m in 35.2, and shortened from $8.00 to pay $5.20 & $1.50 on the NZ TAB tote.

In the hubbub of action afterwards in the birdcage, trainers Mark Walker & Sam Bergerson were swamped.

“Full credit to David Ellis,” Walker said. “He bought her for $200,000, anyone could have afforded her, so it’s terrific for the ownership group.

“She was the last yearling that year, and some of the Entain crew are in her as well. 

“She’s a competitor, she comes off a good farm at Milan Park. You can’t beat these good studs and the mighty Savabeel just keeps doing it, even in his twilight.”

“It’s hard to describe, it’s pretty surreal,” Bergerson said. “I said to Mark when we saw her pop out the back, geez, she’ll to be good from there, and fair play to Blake, he was very patient and the filly was so game.

“When she shot through, we were all on our feet. 

“She just gone the right way. Every time we’ve asked her, she’s kept picking up and improving, and we marked her for the slot race quite early and so thankful it’s come off.

“I’m very lucky to have Mark (Walker) by my side, as a calming influence. He’s so laidback.

“There are so many people to thank. David and Karyn, at the top, Mark, and I’m very lucky to be doing what I’m doing with a fantastic group of owners and staff.”

Damask Rose, a beautifully correct filly, was purchased by David Ellis CNZM for $200,000, from the draft of Milan Park, at the 2023 Karaka Book 1 Sale, and owned by Te Akau Coming Up Roses Racing Partnership (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM).

By Cox Plate (Gr. 1, 2040m) winning three-year-old and nine-time Champion Sire Savabeel (Zabeel), Damask Rose is from a mare by Golden Slipper (Gr. 1, 1200m) winner Flying Spur (Danehill).

She is from a family that Te Akau knows well and already experienced considerable success, including grand-dam Te Akau Rose (Thorn Park) whom Ellis also purchased as a yearling at Karaka.

Trained by Mark Walker, Te Akau Rose was one of 10 winners for the stable in the Matamata Breeders Stakes (Gr. 2, 1200m) and went on to produce five individual winners of 14 races.

The family has plenty of depth, known by many as the Alberton family, producing a host of high-quality winners, none more so than Group One winner and sire Brutal (O’Reilly). 

At the time of purchase, Ellis said: “She’s a beautiful filly with an enormous amount of quality and from a family that we have had plenty of success with in the stable.

“She’s from a great farm and any strong race form will really add to her residual value.”

Damask Rose carries bloodline crosses to incredibly influential sires: Sir Ivor, Nureyev, and Northern Dancer.

Adding to her pedigree and giving dam Sombreuil a huge push for Broodmare of the Year, five-year-old sister Provence won the New Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (Gr. 1, 1600m) earlier on the programme for owner/breeder Tony Rider, after winning the Thorndon Mile (Gr. 1, 1600m) in January at Trentham. 

Damask Rose was strapped by Rasheed Alam.

Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz