Derby Day Win No.1 - Prise de Fer

Champion trainer Jamie Richards started Derby Day on the right note when Prise De Fer (5 g Savabeel - Foiled, by Snippets) won the $50,000 Henley Park Open 1500 metres on Sunday at Ellerslie.

Although out of the Winner's Circle for a few haircuts, Prise De Fer had previously won the Rich Hill Mile (Gr. 2, 1600m) on the course, among five in a row before finishing second to stable-mate Avantage (Fastnet Rock) - on her way to a Group One treble - in the Haunui Farm Classic (Gr. 1, 1600m) last season, and his five-start spring campaign had contained some very good efforts.

Richards had freshened Prise De Fer after his Rich Hill Mile title defence on 1 January, and he indicated his readiness when stretching out very well for third at the trials on 25 February at Pukekohe.

Hotly fancied to deliver ($1.50 & $1.30) and given a lovely trip in fourth by rider Opie Bosson, he always appeared to have matters under control despite the margin (short neck) being narrow.

On Slow7 footing, following 19mls rain overnight, Prise De Fer ran the 1500 metres in 1:34.2, last 600m in 35, and although carrying 61.5kg he had shown to act fresh previously.

“We were 50/50 on running him when they got the rain last night, but our target race (Japan Trophy (Gr. 2, 1600m)) is three weeks and he enjoys his races being spaced,” Richards said.

“I told Opie (Bosson) to give him time to get through his gears because he won't like the track that much and he had to carry weight, so it was good, tough, genuine effort.

“It was also important for a horse like this whose been running in top graded races to come here and get the confidence of a win. We gave him a wakeup at the trials and I thought he went really well at Pukekohe, and he's gone the right way since then.

“Sarah (West), who strapped him, has been doing quite a bit of flat work and dressage style work to keep him interested, and I have to give a big thank you to the team at home.

“Sometimes you try different things to keep older horses interested and I think he will take a lot of benefit both fitness-wise and confidence.”

Owned by the Te Akau En Garde Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM), Prise De Fer was purchased by David Ellis CNZM for $100,000, from the draft of Trelawney Stud, at the 2017 New Zealand Bloodstock Premier Yearling Sale.

“He's won seven of his 20 starts and proved himself against the best here at Group One level,
Ellis said.

“We bought him from Brent and Cherry Taylor at Trelawney, who prepared the horse for Raffles Farm, and they've both been strong supporters of Te Akau.

“He needed time to strengthen as a three-year-old this horse, but has just kept improving and I think he still has plenty more to offer. Let's hope so, anyway.”

“The stable is having a wonderful season and the staff, both on the farm at Te Akau and in Matamata, are all working very hard to achieve these results. Every owner wants to be involved in a winner. It's the best advertising we can do and thankfully the horses are going really well.”

Prise De Fer was strapped by Sarah West.

Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz