Easy Win for Echezeaux - Te Akau Wins Two

A winning double header today at Avondale for the Te Akau New Zealand team - with Stephen Autridge and Jamie Richards training two winners from our three starters -here is the first:

Bred to be anything Echezeaux (5 m Encosta De Lago - Grand Echezeaux, by Zabeel) commenced a new campaign with a terrific win over a mile on 2 November at Avondale.

Spelled at the end of April, having won two of her last four starts, Echezeaux was last of the ten runners and nine lengths from the leader at the 600 metres. It took a dextrous ride by Matt Cameron to find room near the rail and she sprinted home over the last furlong to reel in race favourite Pinstripe (Pins).

Getting clear at the line by half a length, there were three and a half lengths to third in the Waterview Rating 70, and Echezeaux ran the 1600 metres in 1:37.8, last 600m in 35.9.

Given two preparatory trials to resume off 186 days, the result came as no real surprise to Te Akau Racing Manager Brad Taylor who said: “she had worked well on Saturday morning”.

Echezeaux is bred and owned by Sir Peter Vela, and returned healthy dividends: $9.30 & $2.50.

“She was really impressive, wasn't she,” said Te Akau Principal David Ellis, following the win.

“When I saw they were not going very fast in front I thought she'd have to put in a big performance to win, and she's a mare that has always shown the boys plenty of ability.

“I was pleased to get the filly to train for Sir Peter because she's a half-sister to probably the fastest horse Te Akau has ever had, in Burgundy, a half to three stallions at stud, and it was great to yesterday get Burgundy's first win,” said Ellis, of the win by Hard Merchandize (2 g Burgundy - Pride And Passion, by Encosta De Lago) at Otaki.

“I bought the mother and the father of that horse as yearlings and I think Burgundy is a real chance at stud, don't worry about that,” Ellis said.

“The yearlings that we've got by him are outstanding.

“It's always a privilege to have a horse for Sir Peter Vela in the stable. We've trained a lot of very good horses for Pencarrow (Stud) and we've bought a lot of good horses from them, and it's great when we see the blue and white [colours] doing so well."

Co-trainer Jamie Richards said: “It was good to see her back.  We've taken her along quietly and hopefully she's a mare that keeps improving.  She should only get better as she gets a bit stronger.

“It was a lovely ride by Matt and great to have one in the stables for Sir Peter."

Richards said that he and training partner Stephen Autridge backed off Echezeaux after a couple of trials, ‘to keep some speed in her legs', and that there are plenty of good races for her around Christmas.

Following the win, jockey Matt Cameron said that Echezeaux felt as though she had strengthened since winning on her in April and that she had improved mentally as well.

Regarded as a Blue Hen mare, the highest accolade afforded to broodmares, Grand Echezeaux is the dam of Darci Brahma (Danehill), Saperavi (Stravinsky) and Burgundy (Redoute's Choice), from a line that produced Caulfield and Melbourne Cup winner Ethereal (Rhythm) to win $6 million in stakes and become the pride and joy of breeder and owner Sir Peter Vela.

Echezeaux was strapped by Jasmine Fawcett.

Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz