Awapuni Winning Quartet - Paris Perfection
28 July, 2023
No sooner had trainer Mark Walker secured the previously elusive 200 wins in a season, than two more arrived in quick succession to end the day with four victories on the programme at Awapuni (poly-track), and a tally of 202.
In white-hot form, Champion Jockey Michael McNab notched the 201st aboard Treaty of Paris (3 g Tavistock - Echezeaux, by Encosta de Lago) in the $14,000 Humphries Construction Rating 65 2140 metres.
Having capped solid form when winning by nearly eight lengths in the Maiden 2000 metres on 28 June at Cambridge (poly-track), Treaty of Paris was collared mid-straight after working to lead in the Rating 65 2140 metres on 7 July at Awapuni, and received an opportunity to prove more competitive in the corresponding event.
Mirroring his Maiden victory, where a midrace move to lead nearing the 800m saw him annihilate his opponents, Treaty of Paris was again cut loose mid stages to assert a healthy advantage and given a beautifully judged ride by McNab, he held a pair of late closers at bay.
“It was a brilliantly tactical ride by Michael,†Walker said. “He's a horse that took a long time to recover from being gelded, but he's really starting to put it together and I think he'll benefit greatly with a really good spell now.â€
Building momentum for owners in the Te Akau 2021 Stallion Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM), Treaty of Paris has now won two of his last three starts and shapes as staying horse to keep improving next season.
Treaty of Paris was purchased as a yearling by David Ellis CNZM at the 2021 Karaka Book 1 Sale, from the draft of Pencarrow Stud.
Te Akau has plenty of experience with the family, as not only did they train the dam, Echezeaux, a stakes' placed winner of four races from 1600m - 2100m, but Ellis also bought, and Te Akau trained, both five-time Group One winning Champion Sire Darci Brahma (Danehill), and five-time stakes' winning stallion Burgundy (Redoute's Choice).
Regarded as a Blue Hen mare, the highest accolade afforded to broodmares, grand-dam Grand Echezeaux is the dam of stallions Darci Brahma (Danehill), Saperavi (Stravinsky), and Burgundy (Redoute's Choice), from a line that produced Caulfield and Melbourne Cup winner Ethereal (Rhythm) to win $6 million in stakes and become the pride and joy of owner and breeder Sir Peter Vela.
At the time of purchase, Ellis said: “We trained the mare (Echezeaux) for Sir Peter (Vela) and she was above average and good enough to gain black type in the Marton Cup.
“They're not making any more of these Tavistock's, a sire influence that will be sorely missed, and we know how talented the family is.â€
Treaty of Paris was strapped by budding Te Akau apprentice Cooper Stumbles, who rates him as one of his absolute favourites.
Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz
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