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The second of Te Akau Racing's winners at Ruakaka is also beautifully bred - the gorgeous filly named Love Triangle ...

She stood out at the trials, stands out on pedigree, and a standout type: Love Triangle (3 f Encosta De Lago - Love Diamonds, by Danehill) was all the rage to win on debut at Ruakaka, in the New Zealand Bloodstock Airfrieght Maiden 1200 metres and although made to work in the early stages she asserted her superiority late in the piece.

Bred by Sir Patrick & Justine, Lady Hogan and offered through the Cambridge Stud draft at the 2014 New Zealand Bloodstock Premier Yearlings Sale, Love Triangle was purchased for $400,000 by David Ellis for John Magnier “The Boss” of Coolmore, the leading stud in Ireland.

Showing good speed from barrier eight to position on pace by Matt Cameron, Love Triangle travelled comfortably outside the leader inside the 800 metres, made a move to take control at the 250m and after changing stride she put a length and a quarter on her rivals close to home.

Love Triangle ran the 1200 metres on dead ground in 1:11.5, last 600m in 35.4.

“She was super impressive at her first start and it takes the pressure off so we can now prepare her for a nice black type race,” said Ellis. “We're really proud to train a filly racing in the famous navy blue colours of Coolmore and it's nice to see the first goal achieved.

“If she comes through the race well, and Steve and Jamie are happy with her, she could contest the Gold Trail Stakes (Gr. 3, 1200m) on September 19 at Hastings,” said Ellis, of the race earmarked for her.

“She is a filly that still looks a bit fragile and I think once the warmer weather comes she'll really start to thrive, and she just did it today on raw ability.  It was nice to see Sir Patrick Hogan enjoying her win on course and she appears to have come through it really well,” said Ellis.

From one of the best families in the stud book, Love Triangle is royally bred. Her mother was a winner on debut as a two-year-old and a sister to the stallion Viking Ruler (Danehill). Her grand-dam, Tristalove (Sir Tristram), was Head of the 1992-93 NZ 2YO Free Handicaps and Joint top filly on the 1993-94 Australasian 3YO Classification. It is the family of Diamond Like (Danehill), Lovetrista (Rock of Gibralta) and De Beers (Quest of Fame).

At the time of purchase, Ellis had said: “She's an outstanding filly with the pedigree and looks to match. She exhibits plenty of presence, moves beautifully and she looks a three-year-old type typical of the progeny by the Champion sire Encosta De Lago (Fairy King).

Te Akau principal David Ellis was also keen to recognise the efforts of Te Akau trainers Steven Autridge and Jamie Richards, having achieved pleasing results at the two early season trial meetings at Te Teko, and to then see that convert on race day.

“It has been a very wet winter and Steve and Jamie and the staff have all done a great job getting the horses ready,” said Ellis. “They've all been working extremely hard and they placed the horses well at Ruakaka to win on a good track, which is a good training effort. Both Scrutinize and Love Triangle were beautifully ridden by Matt Cameron our stable rider who of course recently was named Champion Jockey, for the second successive season - his ride aboard Interstellar in running second (only beaten a nose) was also tops,” said Ellis.

Picture credit - www.raceimages.co.nz