Te Akau Boys on Parade

$250,000 Telegraph (Gr. 1, 1200m) contenders Chambord (Zabeel) and Heroic Valour (Fastnet Rock) had an exhibition gallop between races on Friday 12 January at Matamata.

Group one winner Heroic Valour was unfortunately scratched when the rain arrived and track downgraded to Slow8 ahead of the Sistema Railway (Gr. 1, 1200m) on 1 January at Ellerslie, while group one placed and multiple stakes performer Chambord has maintained terrific form since an injury enforced layoff when an unlucky and fast closing third in the Hallmark Stud Handicap (Listed, 1200m) on Boxing Day at Ellerslie.

Although not extended and travelling sweetly on terms through the line, Chambord (McNab) and to his outside, Heroic Valour (Bosson), went deceptively fast in the gallop: 1000 metres in 58.8 and last 600m in 33.5.

“They were doing it nicely and both are really finding the line in their races,” Bosson said.

Both riders were very happy with the efforts of their respective mounts and at this stage the riding engagements will remain the same for the Telegraph on Saturday 20 January at Trentham.

Each purchased as yearlings by Te Akau principal David Ellis at Karaka. Chambord: $200,000 from the draft of Cambridge Stud at the 2012 New Zealand Bloodstock Premier Yearling Sale, and the entire Heroic Valour: owned by the Te Akau 2015 Breeding Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM), for $400,000, from the draft of Curraghmore Stud, at the 2015 New Zealand Bloodstock Premier Sale.

Too good for his rivals in the weight-for-age $100,000 Manawatu Challenge Stakes (Gr. 2, 1400m) on 23 December at Awapuni, Splurge (Savabeel) had a solo exhibition gallop between races on Friday 12 January at Matamata.

“That will tighten him nicely and after working next Tuesday he should be spot on,” said co-trainer Jamie Richards, ahead of the $200,000 Thorndon Mile (Gr. 1, 1600m) on 20 January at Trentham.

Ridden by Opie Bosson, Splurge covered 1000 metres in 59.7 and last 600m in 34.6. Successful at group two & three level and the winner of eight from 18 starts, he appears in terrific order.

“The track was beautiful and he was nice and relaxed,” Bosson said. “He felt very good in his work.”

A beautiful horse, and magnificent example of the thoroughbred, Splurge was purchased as a yearling by David Ellis for the 2014 Te Akau Breeding Syndicate, from the draft of Waikato Stud, at the New Zealand Bloodstock Premier Sale.

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