Double Riccarton Delight

The winning continues - on Friday night it was Te Akau Singapore trainer Mark Walker who continued his stranglehold on the Trainers' Premiership with yet another win.  This time the David Ellis purchased, Fortuna Syndicators raced King Savinsky - well done to the team!

We are so proud of our whole Te Akau Racing team in new Zealand too as Stephen Autridge and Jamie Richards continue to lead the New Zealand trainers' premiership.  

The winning continued on Saturday - with two further successes recorded at Riccarton - by a lovely filly and a simply outstanding colt .... ladies first ...

Underestimated mare Madame Jamai (4 m Minstrel Court - Palais Jamai, by Grand Lodge) started the day perfectly for premiership leading trainers Stephen Autridge and Jamie Richards with a massive win in the $30,000 The Paint Lab Hornby Premier Rating 75 1100 metres on Saturday at Riccarton.

Winner of the $30,000 Maiden 1200 metres on the middle day of cup week last year at Riccarton, a plan was hatched almost immediately for her to return twelve months later and the path was paved after a determined win in the Rating 65 1200 metres on 9 October at Timaru.

Away well to relax outside the leader, Madame Jamai took over under a hold at the 400m and quickened clear to win easily by two and a half lengths.

Now unbeaten in two starts on the course, Madame Jamai showed she could run time when clocking 1:09.4, last 600m 33.8, as a three-year-old; she broke 1:10 (1:09.5) again at Timaru, and the 1100-metre time of 1:02.1, last 600m in 32.5, was outstanding.

Outstanding also is the relationship she has forged with jockey Matt Cameron, who has been aboard in each of the three victories.

“She jumped and put herself on pace and although she doesn't look much, she's by Minstrel Court, has the DE brand of David Ellis stamped on her and away they go,” said Cameron.

“It's great for these horses to really get going on a premier day and she's backed up with a tough win.

Racing in the same colours as carried to victory by Kerry Lane in the (1986) Auckland Cup, for owners Barry and Deirdre Neville-White, Madame Jamai shares a liking with her dam for good footing and while Palais Jamai won two sprint races her daughter has surpassed her with three.

“With blinkers on, up in grade, it was a big-ask but she duly delivered,” said co-trainer Jamie Richards.

“[Assistant trainer] Pam (Gerard) has done a great job with her down here to graduate from a midweek meeting at Timaru to a 75 on a big day is a good effort.

“I'm really pleased for the owners, Barry and Deirdre Neville-White, who have been good supporters of the stable,” said Richards.

"It was wonderful that Deirdre was on course today with her daughter in law Rowan and Barry was straight on the phone from Auckland.  They are dear friends of Karyn's and mine and we are just delighted for them," said David Ellis.

Madame Jamai continues raising the bar with her performances and the times and manner of her victories would suggest there are more wins in store.

Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz