6 Win Saturday - One True King Rules

Te Akau trainers Mark Walker & Sam Bergerson had a good start to Saturday racing when One True King (3 g King’s Legacy – Chicharita, by Towkay) won the $25,000 Royal Ascot with Wheels Maiden 1400 metres at Riccarton.

NOTE: SHARES ARE STILL AVAILABLE IN THIS BOY - www.teakauracing.com

Boasting good trial form, which included a win, One True King finished third on debut after working forward from a wide draw (15) to race outside the leader in the Maiden 1400 metres on 11 October at Ashburton, and rated a top three chance at his second raceday outing.

With stable rider Opie Bosson ONZM aboard, One True King again went forward to sit second, was urged to improve turning for home, and responded in a very good manner to overhaul the leader and record a resounding win.

On Good4 footing, One True King ran 1400 metres in 1:23.3, last 600m in 34.2 (approx.), and as race favourite paid $2.20 & $1.30 on the NZ TAB tote.

“He’s quite an interesting horse that we bought at the Ready To Run Sale and he’s always shown a lot of ability, but been a little bit green and a bit new,” Walker said.

“There were still ownership shares available in him yesterday, so he should sell after that win.”

One True King is one of seven horses Te Akau has nominated for the $700,000 Group 1 Al Basti Equiworld New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) on Saturday 15 November at Riccarton, where stable-mates He Who Dares (Snitzel) $4.50 & $1.88 and Hostility (I Am Invincible) $6.00 & $2.25 are prominent in the TAB Futures market.

“I’ll have a chat to Sam (Bergerson), but maybe we’ll put blinkers on him and I think he’s still got more to offer, especially when he gets to a mile and 2000 metres,” Walker added. “I think he’s a promising horse.”

Owned by the Te Akau Royal Legacy Racing Partnership (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM), One True King was purchased by David Ellis CNZM for $190,000, from the draft of Kilgravin Lodge, at the 2024 New Zealand Bloodstock Ready To Run Sale.

At the same sale, Ellis also purchased Hostility (mentioned above), Group One placed at his second start, and Azazel (3 g Shocking – Alagant Angel, by Tavistock), who made it two wins from three starts when winning the Listed Geelong Classic (2200m) during the week at Geelong, from the Te Akau stable at Cranbourne. 

He is from the first crop of dual Group One winner King’s Legacy (Redoute’s Choice), who already has 13 winners to his credit, including stakes' winner Steel Trap. 

Just before One True King commenced racing, assistant trainer Reece Trumper said: “He’s a really nice horse with a beautiful stride. Opie (Bosson) has a lot of time for him and we think he’s a black type horse.”

His dam, Chicharita, was trained at Matamata, winning three races to 2000m including the prestigious Group 2 Royal Stakes (2000m) and is proven as a broodmare with four individual winners of 14 races from 1000m to 2000m, showing good versatility.

A gem in any pedigree, grand-dam Trisynd, a winner over 2140 metres, is by breeding shaping Champion Sire Sir Tristram, whose sons Zabeel, and in turn Savabeel, have been mainstays in the New Zealand breeding industry.

Trisynd left four individual winners of 10 races, including Group Two winner My Chicharita, the dam of this gelding.

“I sold shares this morning in One True King to two very good clients and it was big thrill to see the horse win a couple of hours later,” Ellis said. “He's not fully sold yet which has amazed us all, but I’d imagine there will be strong interest now.

“He’s a good moving horse, breezed up well, and we liked everything about him when we bought him at the sales. He’s strong, out of a good mare, and we’re obviously quite bullish about the stallion.”

One True King was strapped by Ruby Rae. 

Photo credit - Ajay Berry - www.raceimages.co.nz