Group 1 Double Day - Cool Aza Beel

Shades of his $1m Karaka Million (Restricted Listed, 1200m) victory were evident when Cool Aza Beel (2 c Savabeel - Cool ‘N' Sassy, by Testa Rossa) waltzed home in the $200,000 Sistema Stakes (Gr. 1, 1200m) on Auckland Cup Day (7 March) at Ellerslie.

In a race that rounded out some incredible figures for 30 year-old Te Akau trainer Jamie Richards, who produced two Group One winners a week earlier when Probabeel (Savabeel) and Te Akau Shark (Rip Van Winkle) roared home at Royal Randwick, Sydney, Cool Aza Beel became his 10^thGroup One winner for the season and his 30^thin total.

Cool Aza Beel had recorded a strong win in the Karaka Million to give Te Akau a four-peat in the iconic race, following Horse of the Year Melody Belle (Commands), Champion Two-Year-Old Avantage (Fastnet Rock), and $1m Karaka Million 3YO Classic (Restricted Listed, 1600m) winner Probabeel (Savabeel), and he added to the list of three in the last four years (six in total) of Te Akau horses to win the Sistema, following Heroic Valour (Fastnet Rock), Sword of Osman (Savabeel), and Yourdeel (Dundeel).

Richards had timed it perfectly with Cool Aza Beel to win the Karaka Million and got it spot on once again with the fine-looking colt. Following a few days in the paddock, he prepared for the Waikato Stud Slipper (Gr. 3, 1200m) on 22 February at Matamata, which resulted in second to stable-mate Need I Say More (No Nay Never) when not happy on Slow7 footing. But back to Ellerslie, presented with Good3 footing, on a beautiful afternoon, Cool Aza Beel dominated his rivals. 

Able to position in the trail from barrier one for Opie Bosson, Cool Aza Beel was bolting before easing off around the home bend and although second placed Vernazza (More Than Ready) chased hard it was all over after he quickened away at the 300m. 

“He's a pretty special colt,” Richards said. “He might have been half a run short at Matamata, and the ground had to be taken into consideration as well, but Opie just gave him every possible chance and we couldn't have him any better for today.

“He's a very good colt, this. We've got the (Manawatu) Sires Produce Stakes (Gr. 1, 1400m) in three weeks, otherwise we could have a look at Sydney, and I think this horse has still got it all in front of him. 

“He's a lovely horse, not overly big, but has a very good action, and wants to be a racehorse which is the most important part.”  

Warranting favouritism, Cool Aza Beel shortened to $1.70 on the TAB tote, winning by a neat length in 1:10.7, last 600m in 33.3.

Purchased by Te Akau principal David Ellis for $150,000 at the 2019 Karaka Book 1 Sale, from the draft of Fairdale Stud, Cool Aza Beel is owned by the Te Akau Sassy Beel Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM) and now the winner of four from six and $707,560. 

Carrying the influence of Testa Rossa (Perugino), Red Ransom (Roberto), and Bletchingly (Biscay) on his dam side, and of course being by out and out champion sire Savabeel (Zabeel), Cool Aza Beel boasts terrific stallion prospects.

“As a colt you can certainly see how he has developed since Karaka Million night (Jan. 25),” Ellis said. “Quite incredible the job the staff has done with him and he's going to finish up being a really good class of horse, so I can fully understand why so many studs are already interested in him,” Ellis said.

“To have a Group One winning Savabeel colt, with depth of pedigree on his dam side, that can put them away with that sort of turn of foot, these are all the attributes that stud masters are looking for in their stallions. 

“He's certainly not going to reach his peak until he's a three-year-old, so, yes I think he's a terrific prospect for Australasia. 

“I bought this colt at Karaka, and he was bred by Gerald and Duncan Fell at Fairdale Stud. It's a stud that has been selling yearlings for well over 50 years and just tremendous people in the New Zealand industry.”

On behalf of the owners Karyn Fenton-Ellis said: “He's got a heart as big as Texas. Thank you to the Auckland Racing Club. It's a very special organization. And to the race sponsors, thank you very much for being a company that puts so much into racing. 

“Also to Jamie Richards and all our staff, what an outstanding effort by you all and I've said before that he will be a Hall of Fame trainer. He's incredibly gifted and this is the talent we need to have in our country so we can show off the New Zealand thoroughbreds to the world. 

“Congratulations to Opie Bosson and as the Boys Get Paid chant: “there is only one Opie Bosson”.

“And to David Ellis, who buys these incredible horses. We take them home, back ourselves to sell the shares in them and believe it or not Cool Aza Beel was the second last yearling to sell in his year, and we have two or three left this year with shares available. So, maybe the next Cool Aza Beel is among them.

“Last but not least, to our incredibly loyal ownership team. We just cannot achieve these results without you and we love celebrating every step of the way and it's an honour and privilege to train for you. And our staff at stud and the stables, you are all just world-class.” 

Cool Aza Beel was strapped by Mette Mosebo. 

Thrilled with win, Mette said: “It was good, wasn't it. I just can't watch it because I get so nervous.”

Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz

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