5 Win Saturday - Prise De Fer Group 3 Glory

Making it five wins on the day for Te Akau, Prise De Fer (7 g Savabeel - Foiled, by Snippets) produced a last to first victory in the $85,000 Eagle Technology Stakes (Gr. 3, 1600m) on Saturday at Te Rapa.

Winner of the Canterbury Gold Cup (Gr. 3, 2000m) to end his previous campaign, Prise De Fer has been in solid form all season and having placed in all five course attempts he again rated a top three chance after fighting hard for second in the Tauranga Stakes (Gr. 2, 1600m) on 12 November at Tauranga.

Ridden by former South African Champion Apprentice Craig Zackey, who registered his third stakes' win since arriving in New Zealand, Prise De Fer was allowed an easy first half of the race, lobbing along at the rear, before unleashing widest on the track to engulf his rivals.

“He's a superstar,” said Zackey, on dismounting. “The pace was on and I just didn't want him getting bumped around, so I let him drift out a bit and save all that energy. He did all the work.

“It's going to give him confidence and he's only going to go up from here. He's a lovely natured and gentleman horse.

“Full credit to Mark (Walker) and Te Akau, they're just such a professional team. They're strong and every opportunity I get for them I'll grab it.”

On footing that upgraded to Soft6, Prise De Fer ran 1600 metres in 1:36.9, last 600m in 34.5, and paid $2.70 & $1.40 on the NZ TAB tote.

“It was a really good effort and horses like this are hard to place,” said trainer Mark Walker, after preparing his ninth stakes' win among 69 victories this season. “They can be at the top of the handicap and this race worked out great today.

“Full credit to David Ellis, as well. We've had five winners today and he's bought four of them. Dave and Karyn (Fenton-Ellis), they do all the hard yards, going to the sales to buy these horses, all on spec, and syndicate them.

“We've got some really nice Ready to Run Sale horses still available and anyone can be involved.”

Depending on how Prise De Fer comes through the race, he may be entered for the $300,000 Rydges Captain Cook Stakes (Gr. 1, 1600m) next Saturday at Trentham. Placed five times at Group One level, victory at the highest level would be fitting.

Pushing his earnings over $650,000 after 10 wins, nine seconds, and six thirds, Prise De Fer was purchased by David Ellis CNZM for $100,000, from draft of Trelawney Stud, at 2017 New Zealand Bloodstock Premier Yearling Sale, and is owned by Te Akau En Guarde Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM).

“To win five races on a Saturday is incredible and to include a trifecta is hard to do,” Ellis said.

“We're only achieving these results because A) Mark is such a good trainer, and B) he's got such a world-class team working with him. And I mean a world-class team, and C) we have the best owners anyone in the business could wish for.”

“In the last few weeks, it hasn't been much fun for the team, working in thunder and lightning and enormous amounts of rain.  It so rewarding for both Karyn and me, and all our owners, because we know and recognise just how tireless these people are and nothing makes us happier than seeing them get the results they deserve.

“We've been very busy at the Ready to Run Sale, where we bought nine horses: three for Singapore, and six for New Zealand, and there is only about 15% now available in three horses. So, it's been a hugely successful exercise.

“I'm thrilled for the owners that have been involved in all these five winners today, as they support us loyally and deserve it so much.”

The race was sponsored by Eagle Technology, set up by the late Trevor and Corallie Eagle, and carried on by their son Dwayne Eagle.

“Congratulations to Te Akau, what a great horse this is turning out to be,” Eagle said. “Well done to the jockey, Mr. Zackey, and I'm sure he's enjoying his time in New Zealand.

“Eagle Technology continues to be incredibly happy to sponsor this event and continue a long time sponsorship in racing. We've seen some very good horses win our races over the years and I think we've seen another one here today.”

Accepting on behalf of the owners, Peter Wagner said: “I'd like to thank Te Akau and all the team and particularly the jockey.

“It's the first time he's come from last to win, so well done Craig (Zackey). I'd like to thank Mark (Walker), the Waikato Racing Club, and the Eagle family for sponsoring this race.”

Walker added: “Horses like this take a lot of care and attention. I particularly want to thank (track manager) Bart Cowan for producing such a wonderful track today, especially after so much rain. You can win from the front, from the back, and I think that's testament to a great surface.”

Prise De Fer was strapped by Olivia Hill.

Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz