Handsome Winner Al Haram

Te Akau first two starters on Saturday in New Zealand both saluted the judge with victory in the North Island by Equinox followed rapidly by Al Haram driving home at Ashburton ...

A winner previously in France, and backing up his victory in August at Matamata, Al Haram (7 g Sea the Stars - En Public, by Rainbow Quest) delivered with a tough performance in the $30,000 Rating 82 2200 metres on Saturday at Ashburton.

A horse that has continued to improve since first racing earlier this year in New Zealand, Al Haram was purchased for $42,500 through an Inglis online sale and owned by the Te Akau Star Struck Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis).

“He's a horse that Karyn bought online and he's by Sea the Stars who is doing a great job at stud in Europe,” said Te Akau principal David Ellis. “He's a tough horse, and has shown that in his wins, and he looks like he's going to win more races.”

After notching his first success, Al Haram did very well to finish third off a tough trip in the Ruakaka Cup (Open, 2200m) and most recently fought solidly when having his first southern start in the North Canterbury Cup (Open, 2000m) on 5 October at Riccarton.

Carrying top weight (59kgs), Al Haram was sent forward off the outside gate to lead by rider Michael McNab, steadied to trail 1000 metres out when the pace became competitive, but quickened to level on straightening and showed plenty of determination. 

“We made the plan to go forward,” McNab said. “I was happy to ease up when they went around me and from there everything just went really smoothly. I was able to track at the right time, get off at the right time, and it took a bit to get past the second horse but to my horse's credit he stuck it out well and was strong through the line.

“They've been tinkering with his gear and he had a new bridle on him today and it was really effective. He did everything I wanted him to do, when I wanted him to do it, and going off that I couldn't see why 3200 metres would be a problem.”

On footing upgraded after race one from Heavy10 to Slow8, Al Haram ran the 2200 metres in 2:21.5 and returned $4.00 & $2.30 on the NZ TAB tote.

“The ride won him the race and he outstayed them in the finish,” said stable foreman Paul Richards, of a horse that holds a nomination for the $250,000 Christchurch Casino New Zealand Cup (Gr. 3, 3200m) on 16 November at Riccarton. 

“That's his aim, but he'll probably go to the Metrop from here and then into the Cup.”

The $75,000 Redwood Metropolitan Trophy Handicap (Listed, 2500m) is held a week earlier, 9 November, at Riccarton.

“It was a great way to start the day with the first two horses winning,” Ellis said. “The colt, Equinox, got the job done, then Al Haram, and they were both given a peach of a ride by Opie (Bosson) and Michael (McNab). 

“The South Island team has had a very frustrating start to the season with heavy tracks. We send horses down there because we're usually guaranteed good tracks, but we can't do much about the wet weather. 

“It's probably the first time in 20 years of sending horses down during the spring that we haven't had good tracks leading up to Cup Week in November.

“It was Jamie's 23^rdwin for the season and given that our horses prefer better ground it's a great start.”

Trainer Jamie Richards said:

“He'd been racing very well and in conversation with Mark (Walker) he recommended taking him to the South Island for the New Zealand Cup. He's won with a tough effort today and looks nicely placed for the Metropolitan and then on to the Cup a week later. 

“He's certainly put his jumping career on hold and off the back of good form it's great to have him down there, enjoying life, and winning races.”

Running the Te Akau Stable in Singapore, where he currently leads the premiership by 21, with 69 wins for the season, Walker is aiming for his third title after ending last season in fourth place and the leading Kiwi trainer. The winner of five training premierships in New Zealand, Walker was crowned Champion Trainer in 2015 and 2017 while also finishing second and third since setting up stables in 2010 at Kranji Racecourse.

“Mark is world-class at placing horses and knows the South Island form well, too” Ellis said. “He spends a lot of time analysing the form in New Zealand, and he's in contact with us on a daily basis.

“The win was a great result and I'm thrilled for Karyn and her team. One of which, John Elstob, is currently in Fiji with some friends celebrating Denise, his fiancés birthday. He and Denise and Gilbert (Southworth) are in the horse and they'll be celebrating around a swimming pool for certain.”

Al Haram was strapped by Rachael Kramer.

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