4 Win Thursday - Screen Stars

Te Akau Racing won three races in New Zealand on Thursday afternoon, and our Australian stable added to that tally when, In a dogged display, Stage ‘N’ Screen (3 f Ace High – Inthespotlight, by O’Reilly) won the A$40,000 Sammy Takes on Justin Benchmark 64 3YO 1200 metres on 29 May at Pakenham.

Having made a perfect start to her career when winning earlier in the season over 1200 metres at Seymour, Stage ‘N’ Screen stepped up immediately to finish fourth in the Amanda Elliott Stakes (Listed, 1400m) on Melbourne Cup Day (5 Nov.) at Flemington, and spelled following the $1.5m Schwepps Thousand Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m).

She resumed with a good third at Moonee Valley, lifted for fourth at the same venue last time, and was back in class for this assignment. 

Ridden by Ben Melham, who won earlier on the programme aboard NZ bred Knobelas (Belardo), Stage ‘n’ Screen began smartly to lead, travelled comfortably, and although under siege, inside and out, at the 250m, she would not be denied and was extremely defiant to the line.

It was a courageous victory, her second from seven starts, and showed just what a smart filly she is.

The commentator nailed it, when saying: “She travelled beautifully in the run and it was a good effort by Stage ‘n’ Screen.

“She just had no luck last preparation and has shown that she has genuine, good, ability, and today she was really on song.”

On Soft5 footing, Stage ‘n’ Screen ran a slashing 1:09.7 for 1200 metres, last 600m in 34.1, and paid $3.60 & $1.50 on the NZ TAB tote.

“It was a really good win and great to see her back in the winner’s circle,” said trainer Mark Walker.

“It was a good, positive, ride of Ben Melham’s, and that win should build her confidence going forward.

“She can be a bit difficult and challenging in track work, but Chelsea Wilson has done a really good job riding her, and we look forward to her continuing to get better.”

The win capped a very good day for Te Akau, following an additional three wins at Riccarton. 

Owned by Te Akau Centre Stage Racing Partnership (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM), Stage ‘n’ Screen was purchased by David Ellis CNZM for $200,000, from the draft of Kiltannon Stables, at the 2023 New Zealand Bloodstock Ready To Run Sale at Karaka, only two months before her half-sister, by Satono Aladdin (Deep Impact), sold for $900,000 at the Karaka 2024 Book 1 Sale. 

Ace High, by Champion Sire and sire of sires High Chaparral (Sadler’s Wells), won the Victoria Derby (Gr. 1, 2500m) and Spring Champion Stakes (Gr. 1, 2000m), hitting the headlines with his first crop when Molly Bloom became his first Group One winner in the 1000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m).

While Te Akau trained mare My Lips Are Sealed (Ace High) also chimed in with victory in the Phar Lap Trophy (Gr. 3, 1600m). 

Out of an O’Reilly mare, Stage ‘n’ Screen is a half-sister to Australian Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m) placed Japanese Emperor (Satono Aladdin), who also placed in the Alister Clark Stakes (Gr. 2, 2040m), and impressive winning filly Imperial Empress (Satono Aladdin).

The family is well known to Te Akau, being that of New Zealand Bloodstock Filly of the Year Amarelinha (Savabeel), whom Ellis purchased as yearling to win the NZ Oaks (Gr. 1, 2400m), David & Karyn Ellis Classic (Gr. 2, 2000m), Eight Carat Classic (Gr. 2, 1600m), and Sunline Vase (Gr. 3, 2100m). 

It is also the family of Rosehill Guineas (Gr. 1, 2000m) winner Metal Bender (Danasinga), a son of third dam Jacqwin (Bluebird). Metal Bender won nine races in Australia, and the title of top Australian 3YO in his year, while Jacqwin has left seven individual winners of 22 races. Her sire, Bluebird (Storm Bird), is a high-quality influence in any pedigree, but represented by only a select band of mares in New Zealand. 

Stage ‘n’ Screen was strapped by Jason Levin.

“What an effort from her and I’d like to thank the owners for their support,” he said.

“We’ve had a good opinion of her and we’ve just been waiting for it all to come together. 

“She can be a little bit busy, but she settled really nicely. We’ve very proud of her.”