Dont'blamethemusic Breezes Home

Christmas at the races got a cherry on top when Don'tblamethemusic (4 g Coats Choice - Blame the Music, by Stravinsky) won the Noble and Lee Chartered Accountants $11,000 Rating 70 1200 metres on 20 December at Matamata.

“We're having a staff Christmas party at the races and it's nice to have a winner and celebrate all the hard work our team's done through the year,” said Te Akau principal David Ellis.

The winner of his first two races for the Te Akau Musical Syndicate, Don'tblamethemusic was an unlucky runner last time out at Ellerslie, dropped in grade, and with the addition of blinkers and weight relief to 53.5kgs recorded his third win from six starts.

Perfectly relaxed beforehand, Don'tblamethemusic was able to secure an ideal position in fourth. Stable apprentice rider Tegan Newman had him clear to mount a challenge entering the straight and he did the rest to gain ascendancy near the line.

Shortening late in an even betting market, race favourite Don'tblamethemusic returned $3.00 & $1.60 on the NZ TAB tote, running the 1200 metres in 1:11.3 and last 600m in 36.2 on footing upgraded to Good3 earlier in the day.

“This is a horse that Jamie and I bought in the South Island, and he was really well ridden by our apprentice, Tegan Newman,” Ellis said.

Tegan is a dedicated young lady, doing a great job, very hard worker and we're thrilled to see her ride another winner in the tangerine.”

Jamie Richards, who co-trains with Stephen Autridge, said: “He's a had a few soundness problems along the way and a couple of injuries, but he's not a bad horse when right, and it's always good to get a winner on the local track at the Club's twilight Christmas meeting.

“The owners have been so patient and it's been a great job by the staff in getting him ready to win.”

Newman also received a bottle of Moet from the sponsors. “It's great to be able to ride such a classy horse and I'd like to thank Steve, Jamie and David for the opportunity,” she said.

Purchased as a yearling for $22,000 at the 2015 New Zealand Bloodstock South Island Sale, from the Three Valleys draft, Don'tblamethemusic has a Northern Dancer cross on both sides of his pedigree, inbreeding to Nureyev on the dam side, and a Zabeel (Sir Tristram) influence as sire of his grand-dam Noubeel.

Don'tblamethemusic was strapped by Chelsea Burden.

Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz