Flemington in Te Akau's Sights

Te Akau Racing has four horses entered on Saturday (Derby Day) at Flemington in what shapes as the biggest day thus far for our Australian stable.

Traditionally one of the strongest days of racing on the Victorian calendar, Derby Day signals the start of Melbourne Cup Week, which continues with the Group 1 Melbourne Cup run on Tuesday 5 November, the Group 1 Crown Oaks on Thursday 7 November, and a further three Group One races including the Group 1 Champion Stakes on Saturday 9 November.

Each trained by Mark Walker in the Te Akau stables at Cranbourne (Victoria), Our Paramour (3 f Contributer – Victory Parade, by Street Sense) kicks the day off in the A$300,000 Group 2 HKJC World Pool Wakeful Stakes 2000m, Bellatrix Star (3 f Star Witness – Alana’s Party, by Exceed and Excel) in the A$2 million Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes, West Indies (3 g Fastnet Rock – Anchovy, by Galileo) in the A$2 million Group 1 Penfolds Victoria Derby, and Sans Doute (5 m Not A Single Doubt – My Prerogative, by I Am Invincible) in the A$200,000 Group 3 Furphy Sprint.

Combined they are competing for A$4.7 million in prize money on track conditions currently rated Good4, with no rain forecast. 

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Continuing to make terrific headway, and following thirds at her first two starts, Our Paramour won the Maiden 2025 metres on 11 October at Cranbourne (Victoria).

Owned by Fortuna Racing Syndications, Our Paramour was purchased by David Ellis CNZM and Fortuna Racing for $75,000 at the 2023 Ready to Run Sale at Karaka, from the draft of Mapperley Stud. 

Ridden in each of her previous three starts by Blake Shinn, who remains aboard, Our Paramour has drawn barrier 13 and currently offering $23.00 & $5.50 fixed odds on the NZ TAB. The A$300,000 HKJC World Pool Wakeful Stakes (Gr. 2, 2000m) starts at 5:00 p.m. (NZ time).

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The Group 2 Eclipse Stakes' winner last season as a two-year-old in New Zealand, Bellatrix Star notched a hat-trick of wins with a grand performance in the A$300,000 Group 2 Schillaci Stakes 1100m on 12 October at Caulfield.

Owned by Fortuna Bellatrix Star Syndicate, she was purchased for $80,000 by David Ellis CNZM at the Karaka 2023 Book 1 Sale, from the draft of Phoenix Park, and her five wins from nine starts have yielded NZ$685,755 in prize money.

To be ridden by Blake Shinn, Bellatrix Star has drawn barrier 11 and is currently offering $9.00 & $2.90 fixed odds on the NZ TAB. The A$2 million Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes starts at 5:40 p.m. (NZ) and 3:40 p.m. (Vic).

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Recently purchased by Fortuna Racing Syndications (Mgr: John Galvin) and having his first start for trainer Mark Walker, West Indies has raced three times for a win over 1400 metres and two fourths.

He will be ridden by Craig Newitt, has drawn barrier 17 and currently offering $71.00 & $14.00 fixed odds on the NZ TAB. The A$2 million Group 1 Penfolds Victoria Derby will be run at 6:20 p.m. (NZ) and 4:20 p.m. (Vic).

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A stakes' winner when rocketing home last season in the Listed ATA/Bob Hoysted Stakes over 1000m on the straight course at Flemington, Sans Doute came from last with a strong finish for third when resuming in the Listed Carlyon Stakes also over 1000m on 24 August at Moonee Valley, but has been interrupted by wet tracks in her last two starts.

Sans Doute was purchased by David Ellis CNZM for A$300,000 at the 2021 Australian Easter Yearling Sale, from the draft of Arrowfield Stud, and is owned by Te Akau In No Doubt Racing Partnership (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM).

She has won seven of her 19 starts, half a million in prize money, and continues developing into a very valuable mare.  In her five Flemington starts, she has won four times and will love the good going.

To be ridden by by former Te Akau NZ stable rider James McDonald, Sans Doute has drawn barrier 9 and is currently offering $6.00 & $2.40 fixed odds on the NZ TAB. The A$200,000 Group 3 Furphy Sprint 1100m runs at 7:40 p.m. (NZ) and 5:40 p.m. (Vic).