First 2YO Race of Season to Te Akau

Cool Aza Beel (2 c Savabeel - Cool ‘N' Sassy, by Testa Rossa) took out the first two-year-old race of the season with a professional display in the $10,000 Wanganui Thoroughbred Breeders' 2YO 800 metres on Saturday at Wanganui.

Quickly into stride for rider Troy Harris, Cool Aza Beel travelled comfortably on terms with the leader before taking over at the 300m and appeared to have more up his sleeve in holding a challenger at bay.

Purchased by Te Akau principal David Ellis for $150,000 at the 2019 Karaka Book 1 Sale, from the draft of Fairdale Stud, and owned by the Te Akau Sassy Beel Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM), the precocious colt had looked good winning both his preparatory trials and showed his talent as a natural runner.

“It was great way to start the day and also the season with our two-year-olds,” Ellis said.

“To win these early two-year-old races every person has to do their job and Enzo (Di Leoni) did an amazing job breaking our horses in here at the farm, so ably supported by Deane (Lowcay) and the whole team. They're so well educated and that showed in the way he raced.

“Jamie (Richards) has put no pressure on this horse whatsoever. He did it all on his own and Troy, he's an absolute champion with these young horses and he's doing so well for us. There's just nobody better at riding a horse having its first start. He's got such amazing balance, he's kind to them, he's tries to teach them something - it was a really good team effort.”

The first foal from a three-time winner to 1200 metres in Australia, including one on heavy ground which was prevalent at Wanganui, Cool ‘N' Sassy (Testa Rossa) is line bred to immortal sire Northern Dancer and blueblood producing mare Special, the dam of 2000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m) winner and champion sire Nureyev.

“The dam was very speedy,” Ellis said. “We love buying first foals and he's from a good Australian family and of course he's by our (NZ) champion sire Savabeel and we've had so much success with his progeny.

“In December, Joe Walls and I went down to the Central Districts and looked at all the yearlings. Duncan Fell at Fairdale Stud had three yearlings and you'd love to have trained all three out of Book 1 because it was an absolute credit to him. We bought two of them: this Savabeel colt and a Proisir filly that we really like

“Fairdale Stud is one of the oldest in New Zealand. They've bred a lot of very good horses and it's always good to buy from them. We've got a great blend new owners in this horse, together with a number of our long-standing and very loyal owners, so it's great for them to get the win first-up with this colt. It's a big thrill and now we can plot a path towards the Karaka Million.”

With eligibility based on initial nomination and subsequent prize money, Cool Aza Beel will be seeking a place in the one-million dollar race, in which Probabeel (Savabeel) provided Te Akau and Richards a hat-trick in January this year - following on from Melody Belle (Commands) and Avantage (Fastnet Rock).

Te Akau of course also ran the trifecta in the event this year with Aotea Lad runner up, ahead of Yourdeel - who looks set to be named Champion 2YO of the Year on Sunday.

“Cool Aza Beel is the first runner I've had in that race, so it's good to start with a win,” Richards said. “We'll just see how he comes through the trip away before making any immediate plans and he probably wants a short break to strengthen. 

“He's pretty much assured a ticket in the Karaka Million now, so we can bide our time and be patient. He's been a natural and impressed us from day, and importantly, too, he's got a great appetite.”

Cool Aza Beel was strapped by Kate Belsham.

Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz

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