Boom - Te Akau Ben Wins Again

Te Akau Ben (6 g Tavistock – Danalaga, by Danehill) made it three wins from his last five starts when taking out the S$50,000 Class 4 1400 metres on 21 July at Kranji Racecourse in Singapore.

Given 29 days between races by Te Akau trainer Donna Logan, since winning the corresponding race in June, Te Akau Ben had a two-kilo weight increase to carry 59kg, while the services of Champion Jockey Hugh Bowman offered some compensation. 

“He was up in weight and had another wide draw (11), but had the services of one of the best jockeys in the world, Hugh Bowman, who has won 106 Group One races globally,” Logan said.

“We considered claiming weight with an apprentice, but to have a jockey of Hugh’s calibre more than makes up for it.”

In a run similar to last time, when trapped wide near the pace from barrier 10, Te Akau Ben was posted three wide before moving into second approaching the 800 metres. He seized the opportunity to trail at the 600m, and once given full bore a furlong out was able to hold the challengers at bay. 

On Good4 turf, Te Akau Ben ran 1400 metres in 1:22.3 and paid $3.20 & $2.30 on the NZ TAB tote. 

“Te Akau Ben is having an incredible preparation, he really had no right to win off such a tough trip last time but he dug deep to score by a tight margin,” Logan said.

“He’s been a great earner for the stable recently and remained in the same class, albeit at the top of the weights.

“He continues to clear every hurdle we’ve placed in front of him and I thought despite the weight and draw, that the race was well within his reach again.

“He met a tough field, against two other last start winners that were better off in the weights, but was still able to beat them.”

Te Akau Ben showed promise before going to Singapore, winning well at the trials as a three-year-old before debuting with a notable third in the Maiden 3YO 1200 metres at Tauranga, and was then transferred to Te Akau's Kranji operation.

Winning for the fifth time from 19 starts, he was purchased by David Ellis CNZM for $115,000 at the 2019 Karaka Book 1 Sale, from the draft of Curraghmore Stud, and has won in excess of $100,000 in prize money this season alone. 

Bred by Raffles Racing and owned by Mr. Ben Kwok and Te Akau Stud, his dam Danalaga, winner of three to 2600 metres, has left six winners of 24 races, including More Than Sacred (More Than Ready) who won the New Zealand Oaks (Gr. 1, 2400m), Sunline Vase (Gr. 3, 2100m), and Waikato Cup (Gr. 3, 2400m), Sacred Empire (More Than Ready), a six time winner to 2000 metres, and winner of five to 2500 metres More Than Ever (More Than Ready).

At the time of purchase, Ellis said: “Danalaga was a stakes' performer by Champion Sire Danehill that placed in the Oaks and already left an Oaks' winner, while becoming a very good producer. 

“He (Te Akau Ben) is a straightforward good type, walks well, and I think he was really good buying.

“His pedigree suggests he will need a bit of time, but he should continue developing with maturity to race well as a four-year-old and older.”

Ellis added that he was a good deep colour and naturally athletic.

Te Akau Ben is inbred to immortal sire Northern Dancer through both sire lines.