Amalfi Prince Reigns in Awapuni Group 3

Mark Walker began his new term as Te Akau trainer with stakes' success when Amalfi Prince (3 g Sebring - Campania, by Dubai Destination) won $80,000 Higgins Concrete Manawatu Classic (Gr. 3, 2000m) on Saturday at Awapuni.

Walker, who has replaced Hong Kong-bound Jamie Richards, trained 858 winners, including 88 stakes' winners, when previously training for Te Akau from 1997 to 2010 and won five Trainers' Premierships in the process. He then relocated to Singapore when Te Akau established its stable at Kranji, winning four Champion Trainer titles, and is now back where it all began for him in Matamata.

Purchased by David Ellis CNZM for $90,000 at 2020 New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sale, from draft of Ohukia Lodge, Amalfi Prince is owned by the Te Akau Italian Spirit Racing Partnership (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM). He recorded his Maiden victory over 1600 metres on 27 January at Hastings, and recently finished a close second in a Rating 65 1600 metres on 16 March at Matamata.

Appearing up to the task, Amalfi Prince positioned outside the leader before going on 400m out and although tackled by stable-mate On the Bubbles (Brazen Beau) he held too many guns over the concluding stages.

It was a positive ride by Te Akau indentured, leading apprentice Joe Kamaruddin, who recorded his first stakes' victory last December at Awapuni, winning the Eulogy Stakes (Gr. 3, 1600m) aboard subsequent NZ Oaks (Gr. 1, 2400m) winner and NZB Filly of the Year Belle En Rouge (Burgundy).

“He travelled well, stayed strong and kept going,” Kamaruddin said. “I'm very excited to win another stakes' race and thank you to my boss (David Ellis). He has supported me.”

Luxurious in betting, Amalfi Prince paid $26.40 & $4.90, running 2000 metres in 2:03.0 on Dead4 footing.

“We said to Joe (Kamaruddin) to roll forward and, gee, he is riding well for a young fellow that twelve months ago was treading water, but he's just come of age and is riding with a lot of confidence,” Walker said.

“Opie (Bosson) gave the other horse (On the Bubbles) a gun run, but his pedigree said he wouldn't run the trip and a mile is probably far enough. We had to have a go and we now know once and for all.

“Amalfi Prince, we'll see how he travels home, how he trots up on Monday and make plans from there.”

Asked about the satisfaction of training a Group winner on his first day back at the helm, Walker said: “It's a team effort. Jamie (Richards) left the horses in great order. Sam (Bergerson, Assistant Trainer) and the team, they're all really good young horse-people and I'm looking forward to the future.”

By Sebring (More Than Ready), who won five of six races including the Golden Slipper (Gr. 1, 1200m), while siring Derby, Oaks, and Guineas winners, Amalfi Prince is from a mare that won six races (1100m - 1900m) in Australia.

Amalfi Prince showed ability to flatten out when breezing up in good time (10.5) prior to the sale, and is now displaying the adaptability that the progeny by Sebring exude.

“I bought him off Jamie Beatson (Ohukia Lodge) at the Ready to Run Sale,” Ellis said. “We really liked him, also being from a stakes' winning mare that competed to Group 1 level.

“He was bought for $150,000 as a yearling, so we thought he was very good value being able to buy him for $90,000. And Sebring has sired multiple Group 1 winners Dissident and Criterion.

“The way he won, it looks as though he's got a lot more ahead of him. Joe (Kamaruddin) did the job really well. He's a massive part of the team and is just a top young man. We're very proud of him.”

Amalfi Prince was strapped by Liam Cunningham.

Photo credits - www.raceimages.co.nz