Al Haram - Home Track Winner

A winner previously in France, Al Haram (7 g Sea the Stars - En Public, by Rainbow Quest) had been racing solidly in good fields before breaking through in the $11,000 Rating 72 2000 metres, sponsored by U S Navy Flag at Valachi, on 28 August at Matamata.

In the presence of the Melbourne Cup, on Lexus Melbourne Cup Tour Raceday, Al Haram settled midfield on a solid pace, was sent into contention at the 600m and fought out a driving finish before scoring narrowly for Te Akau apprentice jockey Chelsea Burdan.

“I thought he was in a bit of a tricky spot, but as soon as he got around the home bend he balanced up,” Burdan said. “I thought I may have gone a bit soon, but it was perfect for him and he fought back to win when the other horse came to him.”

Trained by Jamie Richards and owned by the Te Akau Star Struck Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis), Al Haram was a winner over 2100 metres in France and is by the exceptional 1600m - 2400m European Champion Three-Year-Old and European Horse of the Year Sea the Stars (Cape Cross), a half-brother to Galileo (Sadler's Wells) - both out of Urban Sea (Miswaki). He was purchased for $42,500 through an Inglis online sale.

“Karyn bought the horse online in Australia, on the advice of Mark Walker and me,” said Te Akau principal David Ellis. “It was great for the owners of Al Haram to get a win and I'm also thrilled for Chelsea because she is working hard, getting really fit, and riding out a finish very well. She kept going on the horse and got up in the last two strides.

“We've got a very strong team to race when the tracks firm, so we're excited heading into the spring and its great reward for all the staff that have worked their butts off through the tough winter months. I can see that all their hard work will pay off over the coming months.”

As well as the main stables at Matamata, Ellis also reported on Te Akau horses working further afield.

“This morning we worked horses at Matamata, Riccarton, Flemington and Randwick, and Jamie (Richards) is currently on his way to Sydney to oversee the work of Te Akau Shark and Probabeel, and James McDonald is coming to gallop them both in the morning. And, then he's back on Friday night to oversee the team at Hastings on Saturday.”

Courtesy of Valachi owner Kevin Hickman, GM Jonathan Scully said that Te Akau would also receive a free service to stallion Savile Row (Makfi).

“We are always extremely grateful to race sponsors and very kind of Kevin and Jonathan to offer a free service to one of their stallions,” Ellis said.

Te Akau trainer Jamie Richards said: “He doesn't win out of turn, but it was a good strong effort and Chelsea got him into a nice rhythm going past the winning post the first time and really set him a light at the 600m, which is probably the way to ride a staying horse like him that doesn't really quicken, and he stuck at it well.

“He can at times be a difficult horse to handle at home, so full credit to the staff. He enjoys the jumping role too, won a hurdle trial before a first-up fourth over the jumps in July, and he'll be heading towards the Maiden Hurdle in ten days time on Northern Day at Ellerslie.

“His season is basically coming to an end, but he'll be back in action for more assignments and I'm really pleased for the owners to get the win, and thankful to Karyn for buying and syndicating the horse amongst some loyal stable clients.”

Al Haram was strapped by Raj Rasheed. 

Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz

Back