Cambridge Trials' Report

Te Akau trialled horses at Cambridge on Tuesday 16 February -

Weather: fine, track: synthetic, rail: true.

Heat 2 Open 1300 metres (2 ¼ lengths, 5 ¾ lengths)

Bak Da Master (6 g Rip Van Winkle - Bak Da Princess) - Michael Roustoby; found a good spot, fourth, and he rolled home nicely over a sprint trip to finish third.

Purchased by David Ellis for $90,000 at the 2016 NZB Premier Yearling Sale, from the draft of Leanach Lodge, for the Te Akau Master Syndicate, he won three times during a terrific spring campaign which saw him emerge as an open grade hurdler while also winning up in grade on the flat. From the family of former stable star Te Akau Shark (Rip Van Winkle), he is a half-brother to Group One Easter Handicap winner Pondarosa Miss (High Chaparral) and Group One placed multiple stakes winner Ecuador (High Chaparral).

Heat 9 Open 950 metres (length, ½ head)

Secret Amour (4 m Niagara - My Secret) - Opie Bosson; settled handily, clear on straightening, and she ran home strongly to photo-finish for second.

She had a very good first campaign, scoring an authoritative win and including three seconds at Ellerslie.  Owned by Scott Goodwin, by successful sire Niagara (Encosta De Lago), she is the first foal from a Sakhee's Secret mare that won two (1400m) of her five starts, in turn from capable mare Keepolaria (Keeper), twice a winner to 2000 metres.

High Achiever (4 g Pins - Thee Achiever) - Troy Harris; was slow to begin, five lengths 600m, and he rounded off solidly for fifth.

Two wins and two fourths from five starts, he confirmed his ability winning fresh-up twice over 1200 metres. Owned by the Te Akau High Achievers Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM), purchased by David Ellis for $100,000 at the 2018 Karaka Book 1 Sale, from the Milan Park draft. From a great South Island family of the Dennis brothers, including 1000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m) winner The Jewel (O'Reilly). His dam won three times to 2100m.

Heat 10 Open 950 metres (¾ lengths, ½ head)

Get Hitched (4 m Lonhro - Wedding) - Opie Bosson; got back second last, five lengths 600m, and after circling widest she ran home strongly for third.

She boomed clear to win the Rating 65 1215 metres by nearly four lengths on 28 December at Rotorua. In training for Cambridge Stud proprietors Brendan Lindsay MNZM and Jo Lindsay, by Australian Horse of the Year, Champion Sire, and sire of sires Lonhro (Octagonal). The first foal from a race winning mare over 1400 metres in Australia, her third dam, Love Dance (Kaapstad), was a dual Group One winner of the Kelt Capital Stakes (2040m) and Avondale Cup (2200m).

Mazzuro (6 g Rip Van Winkle - Mini Pearl) - Joe Kamaruddin; got back to last over a sprint trip, six lengths 600m, and remaining on the bridle he rounded off well.

In training for Bill & Sandra Duell, he won twice to 2200 metres when campaigned as a three-year-old in Melbourne. Following a quiet four-year-old season, he took charge to win over 2100 metres last season at Te Rapa, and a handy prospect in the staying ranks.

Heat 11 Open 950 metres (½ head, ½ head)

Ginger Too (4 g Iffraaj - La Chiflota) - Joe Kamaruddin; began smartly to co-lead on the outer and he kept up a strong gallop for third in a tight finish.

Purchased by David Ellis for $70,000 at the 2018 Karaka Book 2 Sale, from the draft of Monovale Farm, owned by the Te Akau Little Jerry Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM), he hit the line strongly for a second-up win over 1400 metres last season. By Iffraaj (Zafonic), the sire of Te Akau trained triple Group One winner Gingernuts, and also the dam sire of Champion Two-Year-Old, reigning Horse of the Year, and 14-time Group One winner Melody Belle (Commands). He is out a Group One winner and Champion 2YO Filly in Chile.

Phantom Witness (4 g Star Witness - Fandom) - Opie Bosson; steadied off the outside gate, six lengths 600m, and after circling widest he finished strongly for a close fourth.

The winner of two from five and never further back than fourth, he was purchased by David Ellis for $60,000 at the 2018 New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sale, from the draft of Lyndhurst Farm, owned by the Te Akau Phantom Witness Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM). He breezed-up in the top 10% times and naturally athletic.

Heat 12 Maiden 950 metres (¾ lengths, 1 ½ lengths)

Illusion of Paris (3 f Pure Champion - Phantom of Paris) - Danielle Johnson; travelled comfortably fifth and she finished well for third.

Owned by Te Akau Stud, she placed twice from four starts in her first campaign. From the second crop of Willow Glen Stud stallion Pure Champion (Footstepsinthesand), out of an Elusive City (Elusive Quality) half-sister to multiple stakes winner of 13 races Raw Instinct (Housebuster).

Heat 13 Maiden 950 metres (3 ½ lengths, short neck)

Its All Over Rover (3 g Rip Van Winkle - Nightofpassion) - Troy Harris; trailed from barrier one and quickened once clear in the straight to grab second.

In training for breeder/owners Ruth Redwood and William Thrupp, Rip Van Winkle (Galileo) is also the sire of dual Group One winning stable-mate Te Akau Shark, whom they share in ownership, and Filly of the Year Jennifer Eccles. He carries a Nureyev cross through the dam line of Rip Van Winkle and dam-sire line through Sir Tristram.

Conquistador (3 g Savabeel - Suavito) - Opie Bosson; got back off the outside gate, chased along nine lengths 600m, and he closed the margin into fourth.

By six-time Champion Sire Savabeel (Zabeel), his dam, Sauvito (Thorn Park), won two weight-for-age Group One races: Futurity Stakes (Gr. 1, 1400m) and C F Orr Stakes (Gr. 1, 1400m) at Caulfield. He was purchased by David Ellis at the 2019 Karaka Book 1 Sale, from the draft of Waikato Stud, owned by the Te Akau 2019 Breeding Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM).

Heat 14 Maiden 950 metres (1 ¾ lengths, 1 ½ lengths)

Devoted (3 g Contributer - Mapmaker) - Opie Bosson; was back and wide, five lengths 600m, and running on but he remained rearward.

Purchased by David Ellis for $55,000 at the 2019 Karaka Book 1 Sale, from the draft of Mapperley Stud, and owned by the Te Akau Cartography Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM). From the first crop of Champion Australian Middle Distance Horse of the Year Contributer (High Chaparral), a dual Group One winner of the Chipping Norton (Gr. 1, 1600m) and Ranvet Stakes (Gr. 1, 2000m). His dam, Mapmaker (Volksraad), won twice and placed in the Trentham Stakes (Gr. 3, 2100m).

Soprano Supreme (3 f Contributer - Falsetto) - Joe Kamaruddin; got back last off a wide gate, five lengths 600m, and running on but she remained rearward.

Owned by the Fortuna Soprano Supreme Syndicate (Mgr: John Galvin), she was purchased by David Ellis for $62,500, from the draft of Te Runga Stud, at the 2019 Karaka Book 1 Sale. From the first crop of Champion Australian Middle Distance Horse of the Year Contributer (High Chaparral), a dual Group One winner of the Chipping Norton (Gr. 1, 1600m) and Ranvet Stakes (Gr. 1, 2000m), her dam, Falsetto, by legendary stallion Zabeel (Sir Tristram), was an impressive three-time winner from 1600m - 2100m and placed in the NZ Oaks (Gr. 1, 2400m).

Heat 15 Maiden 950 metres (½ length, length)

Te Akau Ben (3 g Tavistock - Danalaga) - Troy Harris; began well from barrier one to trail and he got through one off the rail to win well.

He was purchased by David Ellis for $115,000 at the 2019 Karaka Book 1 Sale, from the draft of Curraghmore Stud. Bred by Raffles Racing and owned by Mr. Ben Kwok and Te Akau Stud, his dam, Danalaga has left four winners of 17 races, including New Zealand Oaks (Gr. 1, 2400m) winner More Than Sacred (More Than Ready) that also won the Sunline Vase (Gr. 3, 2100m) and Waikato Cup (Gr. 3, 2400m).

Diamond Dream (4 m Fastnet Rock - Cierzo) - Opie Bosson; worked forward into a good spot, fifth, and she finished well for third.

From a family very well known in New Zealand, Te Akau principal David Ellis bought the valuable half-sister to stallion Jimmy Choux (Thorn Park), a multiple Group One winner, and Group One winner Miss Wilson (Stratum), from the draft of Coolmore Stud at the 2018 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale. She is owned by Te Akau Diamond Dream Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM).

Heat 16 Maiden 950 metres (long neck, long head)

Felicienne (3 f Savabeel - Flavigny) - Danielle Johnson; got back in a tightly-knit field, tracked through near the inner, and she finished strongly to win.

During a three-start first campaign, she finished second, third, and fourth, in strong fields. Owned by the Te Akau Flarabeel Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM), she was purchased by David Ellis for $190,000 at the 2019 Karaka Book 1 Sale, from the draft of Windsor Park. By Cox Plate (Gr. 1, 2040m) winning three-year-old and six-time Champion Sire Savabeel (Zabeel), she is from a young mare by successful sire Mastercraftsman (Danehill Dancer).

Heat 17 Maiden 950 metres (2 lengths, 3 ½ lengths)

Flat Track Bully (3 g Reliable Man - Lime Squeeze) - Troy Harris; posted three wide at the back, and after circling widest he ran on strongly for second.

Having his second trial for owner/breeders Rod Duke and Gerard Petersen (Gee Gee Equine), he carries a Northern Dancer and Mr. Prospector cross, from a mare by leading sire Exceed and Excel (Danehill).

Heat 18 2YO 800 metres (½ a length, ¾ lengths)

She's A Showoff (2 f Showcasing - Que Sera) - Danielle Johnson; began best, steadied to third, and she held her position strongly.

From the final NZ crop of Showcasing, one of the best sires of two-year-olds, the sire of Showcasing, Oasis Dream (Green Desert), was a terrific sprinter in Europe, winning the stallion making July Cup (Gr. 1, 1200m) at Newmarket. She is a quality filly from an impressive winning mare over 1400 metres. Purchased by David Ellis for $215,000 at the 2020 Karaka Book 1 Sale, from the draft of Curraghmore Stud, she is owned by Te Akau Showoff Racing Partnership (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM).

Medal (2 c Savabeel - Gold Rocks) - Opie Bosson; began well, settled fifth on a genuine pace and he held his spot in a heat where positions changed little.

In training for Waikato Stud, by their resident six-time Champion Sire Savabeel (Zabeel), from Group Two winner Gold Rocks (Oratorio), he is a brother to Gold Fever, a filly that David Ellis purchased as a yearling on the Gold Coast. Gold Fever became the sixth Te Akau filly to win the Matamata Breeders' Stakes (Gr. 2, 1200m), finishing third in both the Sistema Stakes (Gr. 1, 1200m) and Eclipse Stakes (Gr. 3, 1200m) and became a Champion Two-Year-Old and Horse of the Year finalist.

Armoury (2 c Snitzel - Katie Lee) - Troy Harris; was easy off the gate to settle second last, six lengths 600m, he remained back over a sprint trip.

Owned by Te Akau 2020 Four Colts Breeding Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM), he was purchased by David Ellis at 2020 Karaka Book 1 Sale, from the draft of Cambridge Stud. From Katie Lee (Pins), the first horse in history to win both the 2000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m) and 1000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m). Her progeny have sold for $2.99 million. His sire, Snitzel (Redoute's Choice), has won the last four premierships in Australia, and three times Champion Two-Year-Old Sire. Snitzel is also the sire of recent Sistema Stakes (Gr. 1, 1200m) winning stable-mate Sword of State.

Heat 19 2YO 800 metres (length, 1 ¼ lengths)

Synchronize (2 f Savabeel - Splits) - Danielle Johnson; eased to last off a wide gate, five lengths 600m, and after tracking up widest into the straight she quickened appreciably for a smart win.

Owned by the Te Akau Flexibeel Racing Partnership (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM), purchased by David Ellis at the 2020 Karaka Book 1 Sale, from the draft of Waikato Stud, by six-time Champion Sire Savabeel (Zabeel). Although unraced, her dam, Splits (O'Reilly), is a sister to Te Akau trained Spring Classic (Listed, 2000m) winner Wolfwhistle, and blood sister to Group One winner Tiptronic (O'
Reilly). Grand-dam Legs (Pins - River Century, by Centaine) was Joint top filly on the 2005-06 NZ 3YO Free Handicaps. It is the family of Te Akau trained 2000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m) winner Xtravagant (Pentire), now standing at Newhaven Park, N.S.W.

Pin Me Up (2 f Pins - Brampton Loco) - Opie Bosson; posted wide in fifth, loomed on straightening, and he maintained his action finishing third.

By award winning stallion Pins (twice NZ leading sire for global progeny earnings), her dam, Brampton Loco (O'Reilly) is a half-sister to Group Two winner Pimms Time (Pins). They are both out of Zabeel (Sir Tristram) mare Brampton Legs.

Eridor (2 g Telperion - Fille de France) - Troy Harris; began well to trail, sustained a good gallop for fourth, and he was strong through the line.

Having his first trial for Gerry Harvey (Westbury Stud), from the first crop of beautifully bred young stallion Telperion, whose sire is high-class international stallion Street Cry, the sire of out and out champion Winx (37 wins, 25 Group One, and NZ$28.1 million) and Champion American racehorse Zenyatta (winner of 19 from 20).

Heat 20 2YO 800 metres (short neck, 1 ¾ lengths)

Pure Imagination (2 c Darci Brahma - Granadilla) - Opie Bosson; worked through to fourth on the inner and he kept up a good gallop for third.

Purchased by David Ellis last November at the Karaka Ready to Run Sale, from the draft of Lilywhites Lodge, he is by Champion five-time Group One winning stallion Darci Brahma (Danehill), whom Ellis also purchased. His dam, Granadilla, by Champion Broodmare Sire Encosta de Lago (Fairy King), is a half-sister to stable-mate and Eulogy Stakes (Gr. 3, 1600m) winner Lilikoi (Charm Spirit).

Trieste (2 f Tivaci - Domani Oro) - Danielle Johnson; found a handy position on the outer and he held his spot solidly to finish fourth.

From the first crop by Group One winner Tivaci (High Chaparral), her dam, Domani Oro, is by the highest priced yearling ($3.6m) to ever sell at Karaka, Don Eduardo (Zabeel), that went on to win the AJC Derby (Gr. 1, 2400m) at Randwick, before proving solid as stallion and now getting good results as a broodmare sire.

Goddard (2 g Turn Me Loose - Turkey Lowe) - Troy Harris; settled back off the outside gate, five lengths 600m, and a touch green in his action he remained rearward.

Having his first trial for owners Brendon McCullum ONZM, Damon Smith, Johnny Hague, and Shane Ainsworth, from the first crop of triple Group One winner Turn Me Loose (Iffraaj), he is the first foal of a young Savabeel (Zabeel) mare, and the family of Waikato Cup (Gr. 2, 2400m) winner Singing Star (Danasinga) and dual Group One winner Viadana (Towkay).

Heat 21 2YO 800 metres (head, 1 ½ lengths)

Ragamuffin (2 g Belardo - Short Tale) - Troy Harris; raced handily from barrier one and he kept quickening very well near the rail to win.

Te Akau trained the first stakes winner for Haunui Farm shuttle stallion Belardo (Lope de Vega), when Avonallo won the Welcome Stakes (Listed, 1000m), before finishing third to stable-mate On the Bubbles (Brazen Beau) in the Karaka Million 2YO (Restricted Listed, 1200m). Dam Short Tale (Pins) won twice over 1200 metres, while the family comprises some high-quality thoroughbreds including All In Vogue (Pins), stallion What's The Story (Savabeel), and triple Group One winner Tall Poppy (Kaapstad).

Zeitaku (2 c Savabeel - Miss Opulence) - Opie Bosson; was fifth at the 600 and he picked up stylishly into third.

Purchased by David Ellis last November at the Karaka Ready to Run Sale, from the draft of Monovale Farm, he is by six-time Champion Sire Savabeel (Zabeel). From the family of Champion Middle Distance Horse Sir Slick (Volksraad), winner of 22 races including four Group Ones, and dual Group One winning Champion Three-Year-Old, now stallion, Puccini (Encosta de Lago), who won the NZ Derby (Gr. 1, 2400m) and Thorndon Mile (Gr. 1, 1600m).

2 g Burgundy - Tad Infinitum - Joe Kamaruddin; raced wide, moving forward approaching the home turn, and held together with good momentum finishing fourth.

Having his first for owner/breeders Sam Boyd, David Ellis, John Elstob, Karyn Fenton-Ellis, and Gilbert Southworth, he is by five-time stakes winner Burgundy (Redoute's Choice), a three-quarter brother to Darci Brahma (Danehill), each purchased as yearlings by David Ellis.

Hero Worship (2 g Xtravagant - Idol) - Craig Grylls; was held together behind the pace and he kept up a good gallop for fifth.

Having his first trial for the Te Akau Hero Worship Racing Partnership (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM). He is from the first crop by record-breaking (1:33.5) 2000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m) winner Xtravagant (Pentire), bought as a yearling by David Ellis at Karaka, and now standing at Newhaven Park Stud (N.S.W). His dam, Idol, by Champion Sire Fastnet Rock (Danehill), won over 1500 metres in Australia.

Heat 22 Maiden 800 metres (¾ lengths, 4 ½ lengths)

Full Gear (3 g Rubick - Purringa) - Troy Harris; squeezed out, he got back to last, eight lengths 600m, and good through the line without being pressured.

In training for Mr. Ben Kwok, by Encosta de Lago stallion Rubick, a Group Two and Group Three winning sprinter, he is out of Purringa (Purrealist), twice a winner over 1400 metres in Australia, and dam of five-time winner Felino Bel (Bel Esprit).

Heat 23 Maiden 800 metres (¾ lengths, 4 ½ lengths)

Moet Belle (3 f Tavistock - Meleka Belle) - Opie Bosson; began well to trail the leaders and ran on unpressured in the straight.

Having her second trial for owner/breeder Marie Leicester, she is a half-sister to reigning dual Horse of the Year and 14-time Group One winner Melody Belle (Commands), and impressive three-time winner Exaltation (Not A Single Doubt), both also bred by Marie.