Damask Rose Blossoms on Debut

Continuing from where they left off, Te Akau trainers Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson produced debutantes Damask Rose (2 f Savabeel – Sombreuil, by Flying Spur) and Quintefeuille (2 g Xtravagant – Quintette, by Alamosa) to quinella the $18,500 Maiden 2YO 1100 metres on 27 December at New Plymouth.

The stable had a memorable day on Boxing Day, with six wins including Group One winner Campionessa (Contributer), Hazlett Stakes (Listed, 1200m) winner Kai (Ocean Park), and exciting debutante two-year-old winner Cool ‘N’ Fast (Savabeel) who quickly trimmed from $21 to $3.50 for the TAB Karaka Millions 2YO (Restricted Listed, 1200m). 

Able to sweet-seat in the trail behind Te Akau-bred Quintefeuille, who had company in front, Damask Rose was out to challenge early in the straight and drew an advantage in the final stages as the pair raced clear from their rivals.

Ridden by Michael McNab, Damask Rose had wound up nicely in the straight for third in her sole trial on 5 December at Waipa, and appeared ideally drawn (2) to race well.

“It was a lovely ride of Michael McNab’s and a good winning effort by the filly,” said co-trainer Mark Walker. 

“She’s a filly with a lot of scope about her and going to be a lovely three-year-old, and she's doing it at present on pure, natural, ability.

“We’ll get her home and let the dust settle, but if we’re really happy with her she could be a contender for the Karaka Millions.

“She’s got a bright future and we’ve thought a bit of her for awhile, and Dave (Ellis) bought her from a very good farm in Milan Park.”

In the race sponsored by 24/7 Security, Damask Rose ran 1100 metres in 1:05.0, last 600m in 35 (approx.), on Soft5 footing, and paid $3.90 & $1.30 on the NZ TAB tote. 

In winning, Damask Rose gained enough prize money to make her eligible, at present, among 14 runners for the Karaka Millions 2YO, joining five others from the stable headed in earnings by Cool ‘N’ Fast.

A beautifully correct looking filly, Damask Rose was purchased by David Ellis CNZM for $200,000, from the draft of Milan Park, at the 2023 Karaka Book 1 Sale, and is owned by Te Akau Coming Up Roses Racing Partnership (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM).

By Cox Plate (Gr. 1, 2040m) winning three-year-old and eight-time Champion Sire Savabeel (Zabeel), Damask Rose is from a mare by Golden Slipper (Gr. 1, 1200m) winner Flying Spur (Danehill).

She is from a family that Te Akau knows well and with which it has already experienced considerable success, including the 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 eight winners for the stable of the Matamata Breeders' Stakes (Gr. 2, 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.

In finishing second, Quintefeuille also made a great start to his racing career. Ridden by Craig Grylls, as he was when second at the trials on 5 December at Waipa, in which subsequent debut winning stable-mate When Stars Align (Zoustar) finished third, Quintefeuille is a Te Akau homebred by dual Group One winner Xtravagant (Pentire) out of stakes' placed Quintette (Alamosa). 

Damask Rose was strapped by Cooper Stumbles. 

Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz