BOOM! Te Akau's Karaka Millions' Double!
26 January, 2025
Fulfilling a valuable double for the stable, Damask Rose (3 f Savabeel – Sombreuil, by Flying Spur) proved too classy in the $1.5 million TAB Karaka Millions 3YO (Restricted Listed, 1600m) on Saturday at Ellerslie.
A race after stable-mate La Dorada (Super Seth) provided Te Akau with its eighth winner out of nine years in the $1 million TAB Karaka Millions 2YO (Restricted Listed, 1200m), Damask Rose and jockey Blake Shinn produced a polished performance in the rich race.
Runner-up in the TAB Karaka Millions 2YO (Restricted Listed, 1200m) last season, at just her second start after winning on debut, Damask Rose had displayed class winning fresh-up over 1200 metres in December at Te Rapa, and most recently ran fastest last 600m (34.3) for sixth in the Auckland Guineas (Gr. 2, 1400m), when getting back last from the outside gate (11), on Boxing Day at Ellerslie.
In the interim she quickened into contention at the 250m and ran on strongly for second in a trial on 14 January at Matamata, in a move by trainers Mark Walker & Sam Bergerson that topped her off nicely.
Drawn wide again (12), Damask Rose and Shinn were on the job to secure a lovely position in midfield, remaining patient when seven lengths astern at the 600m but after receiving a timely split on straightening, she launched an undeniable finish to win going away by one length.
For Damask Rose, the win confirmed the potential she had shown in a handful of starts, with a three from six record and now over $1 million in earnings, while for Shinn it was just reward for the time and effort spent coming from Melbourne in the past few months to ride work, trials, and races for Te Akau.
“It was a lovely ride of Blake’s”, Walker said. “He rode her for a touch of luck and just got that split at the right time, and that’s why we have these international riders on.
“Well done to David Ellis for buying her. She was actually the last yearling to sell, so it just shows you, and they’re often very good. Imperatriz was the last yearling to sell in her year, as was Avantage, and they won 19 Group One races between them.”
Walker pointed out that the next race for Damask Rose, as a slot holder, will be the $3.5 million NZB Kiwi (Restricted Listed, 1500m) on Saturday 8 March at Ellerslie.
On footing that remained Soft5 despite rain, Damask Rose ran 1600 metres in 1:36.4 and paid $3.30 & $1.50 on the NZ TAB tote.
La Dorada and Damask Rose also added to the history that Te Akau has created in the Karaka Millions' races, being the only stable to record the Karaka Million's double on one night - in fact now having achieved this three times: the stable won both races in 2020 with Cool Aza Beel (Savabeel) and Probabeel (Savabeel), and again in 2022 with Dynastic (Almanzor) and Pin Me Up (Pins), while Probabeel remains the only horse in the 18-year history to have won both races, after first winning the Karaka Million 2YO (Restricted Listed, 1200m) in 2019.
Damask Rose, a beautifully correct filly, was purchased by David Ellis CNZM for $200,000, from the draft of Milan Park, at the 2023 Karaka Book 1 Sale, and (known as 'Carrie') she is owned by the Te Akau Coming Up Roses Racing Partnership (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM).
After winning in December at Te Rapa, Ellis said: “I’d like to congratulate everyone for the patience they’ve shown with this filly, she’s only had four starts, and we think that patience will be very well rewarded.
“We deliberately turned her out for a good spell after racing earlier in the season, because our goal was to have her ready for top races after New Year, and we feel after winning like she did that we’re on target.”
How true those words were, and to see it come to fruition is icing on the cake.
By Group 1 Cox Plate (2040m) winning three-year-old and eight-time Champion Sire Savabeel (Zabeel), Damask Rose is from a mare by Group 1 Golden Slipper (1200m) winner Flying Spur (Danehill).
She is from a family that Te Akau knows well and already experienced considerable success, including grand-dam Te Akau Rose (Thorn Park) whom Ellis also purchased as a yearling at Karaka.
Trained by Mark Walker, Te Akau Rose was one of nine winners for the stable in the Group 2 Matamata Breeders Stakes (1200m) and went on to produce five individual winners of 14 races.
The family has plenty of depth, known by many as the Alberton family, producing a host of high-quality winners, none more so than Group One winner and sire Brutal (O’Reilly).
At the time of purchase, Ellis said: “She’s a beautiful filly with an enormous amount of quality and from a family that we have had plenty of success with in the stable.
“She’s from a great farm and any strong race form will really add to her residual value.”
Damask Rose carries bloodline crosses to incredibly influential sires: Sir Ivor, Nureyev, and Northern Dancer.
Damask Rose was strapped by Rasheed Alam.
Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz
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