Here's To Champions

Te Akau Is Getting Ready For A Champion Day Out 

It's one of the biggest days of the summer racing season, and all eyes are on Ellerslie this weekend. The highly anticipated debut of the NZB Kiwi, alongside a stellar race card featuring four Group 1 contests and the iconic Group 2 Barfoot & Thompson Auckland Cup, promises an unforgettable day of top-class racing.

Here’s a closer look at what the Tangerine team has lined up this weekend:

Slot holders Te Akau Racing have a terrific chance in the richest race ever staged in New Zealand, when Damask Rose (3 f Savabeel – Sombreuil, by Flying Spur) contests the $3.5m NZB Kiwi (Restricted Listed, 1500m) on Saturday at Ellerslie.

Trained by Mark Walker & Sam Bergerson at Matamata, the beautifully correct filly was purchased by David Ellis CNZM for $200,000, from the draft of Milan Park, at the 2023 Karaka Book 1 Sale, owned by Te Akau Coming Up Roses Racing Partnership (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM), and already topped $1m in prize money.

The winner of three from six, Damask Rose won on debut as a two-year-old before finishing second in the $1m TAB Karaka Millions 2YO (Restricted Listed, 1200m), was put aside with the NZB Kiwi in mind after finishing third in the Gold Trail Stakes (Gr. 3, 1200m) earlier this season, and returned in grand order to win impressively over 1200 metres in December at Te Rapa.

She then ran fastest last 600m (34.3) for sixth in the Auckland Guineas (Gr. 2, 1400m), when getting back last from the outside gate (11), on Boxing Day at Ellerslie, and put any doubts to rest when launching an undeniable finish to win going away by one length in the $1.5m TAB Karaka Millions 3YO (Restricted Listed, 1600m) on 25 January at Ellerslie.

Before racing commenced last Wednesday (Feb. 26) at Taupo, Damask Rose received a lovely trail from barrier one, travelled well turning for home, and quickened through near the rail over the concluding stages to win the Group & Listed 1100-metre trial, and should be bristling in readiness for the big dance on Saturday.

By Cox Plate (Gr. 1, 2040m) winning three-year-old and nine-time Champion Sire Savabeel (Zabeel), Damask Rose is from a mare by Golden Slipper (Gr. 1, 1200m) winner Flying Spur (Danehill).
She is from a family that Te Akau knows well and already experienced considerable success, including grand-dam Te Akau Rose (Thorn Park) whom Ellis also purchased as a yearling at Karaka.
Trained by Mark Walker, Te Akau Rose was one of 10 winners for the stable in the Matamata Breeders Stakes (Gr. 2, 1200m) and she went on to produce five individual winners of 14 races.
The bloodlines of Damask Rose have plenty of depth, known by many as the Alberton family, producing a host of high-quality winners, none more so than Group One winner and sire Brutal (O’Reilly).

On a blockbuster day of racing, with overall stakes money of $8.2m on offer, Te Akau is well represented throughout the 10-race card.

Hakkinen (3 g Savabeel – Miss Scandinavia, by Smart Missile) contests the $1.25m Trackside NZ Derby (Gr. 1, 2400m).

Owned by Te Akau Flying Finn Racing Partnership (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM), Hakkinen was bred by the 2016 Te Akau Scandinavia Syndicate and purchased by David Ellis CNZM for $250,000, from the draft of Phoenix Park, at the 2023 Karaka Book 1 Sale.

A smart winner over 1600 metres, at just his second start, he closed boldly from last in fastest last 600m (36.3) for fourth in the Gingernuts Salver (Listed, 2100m) here on 12 January, and finished fourth after an economical trip in the Avondale Guineas (Gr. 2, 2100m) here on 22 February.

In the $550,000 Sistema Stakes (Gr. 1, 1200m), Walker & Bergerson have four runners:

La Dorada (2 f Super Seth – Gold Fever, by Savabeel), owned by Te Akau Solid Gold Racing Partnership (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM), purchased by David Ellis CNZM for $190,000, from the draft of Waikato Stud, at the 2024 Karaka Book 1 Sale, has three wins from four starts and $744,500 prize money.

She became the eighth $1m TAB Karaka Millions 2YO (Restricted Listed, 1200m) winner for Te Akau here in January, and since provided their 10th win in the Matamata Breeders’ Stakes (Gr. 2, 1200m).

Return To Conquer (2 c Snitzel – Vaujany, by Lonhro), owned by Te Akau 2024 Stallion Breeding Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM), purchased by David Ellis CNZM for $1.3m at the 2024 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, from the draft of Blue Gum Farm.

He remained unbeaten in three starts, all stakes’ wins, when taking out the Matamata Slipper (Gr. 3, 1200m) on 15 February – the 11th victory in the race for Te Akau.

He Who Dares (2 c Snitzel – Rondinella, by Ocean Park), owned by Te Akau 2024 Karaka Stallion Breeding Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM), purchased by David Ellis CNZM for $825,000, from the draft of Haunui Farm, at the 2024 Karaka Book 1 Sale.

An impressive debut winner, he was terrific second-up when finishing close second to Return To Conquer (above) in the Matamata Slipper (Gr. 3, 1200m) on 15 February.

Marokopa Falls (2 f Hellbent – Beside You, by Ready’s Image), owned by Fortuna Marokopa Falls Syndicate (Mgr: John Galvin), purchased by Te Akau principal David Ellis CNZM and Fortuna Syndications for $57,500 at the 2024 Gold Coast National Yearling Sale, from the draft of Lincoln Farm.

She was an impressive debut winner that most recently finished fourth to stable-mate La Dorada (above) in the Matamata Breeders’ Stakes (Gr. 2, 1200m).

Qali Al Farrasha (4 m Almanzor – Nucleonic, by Burgundy) contests the $600,000 HKJC World Pool New Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (Gr. 1, 1600m).

Bred and owned by David Ellis CNZM and David & Matthew Peacocke (Weston Lea Bloodstock), she brings tremendous form: beaten by a half-head in the Thorndon Mile (Gr. 1, 1600m) on 11 January at Trentham, and finished second in the Otaki-Maori WFA Classic (Gr. 1, 1600m) here on 22 February.

Campionessa (7 m Contributer – Bella Carolina, by O’Reilly) contests the $600,000 HKJC World Pool New Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (Gr. 1, 1600m).

Owned by Te Akau Campionessa Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM), purchased by David Ellis CNZM for $60,000 at the 2019 Gold Coast National Yearling Sale, from the draft of Mapperley Stud.
Campionessa, a Group One winner and quadruple Group Two winner, has recorded 11 wins, 12 places, and over $1.3 million in prize money.

Midnight Blue (8 g So You Think – Midnight Special, by Zabeel) contests the $1m Bonecrusher Stakes (Gr. 1, 2000m).

With seven wins from 1600m – 2400m, including Perth Cup (Gr. 2, 2400m) and Seymour Cup (Listed, 1600m), Midnight Blue was purchased by David Ellis CNZM for $92,500 at the Inglis Digital 2023 November (early) Online Sale, and owned by Te Akau Midnight Blue Racing Partnership (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM).

In great form of late, he produced a very good effort for fourth in the Avondale Cup (Gr. 3, 2400m) here on 22 February.

I’m A Dirty Rascal (7 g Galileo – Remember When, by Danehill Dancer) contests the $600,000 Barfoot & Thompson Auckland Cup (Gr. 2, 3200m).

A winner over 2500 metres in Ireland, where he also finished second in the Down Royal Ulster Derby (2551m), and fourth in the Irish St Leger (Gr. 1, 2816m), purchased by David Ellis CNZM for $95,000 at the Inglis Digital Online (Late) November 2024, owned by Te Akau King Of The Castle Racing Partnership (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM), C1Racing Co Syndicate, Club Evans Syndicate & Par Five Syndicate (Mgr: Nick Cappelleri).

Before racing commenced last Wednesday (Feb. 26) at Taupo, in the Group & Listed 1100-metre trial won by stable-mate Damask Rose (above), I’m A Dirty Rascal got back early over the sprint trip, improved three back inner 600m, finished solidly behind leaders, and kept running on strongly through the line.

Shockabella (3 f Shocking – My Isabella, by O’Reilly) contests the $250,000 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Sunline Vase (Gr. 3, 2100m).

Owned by Te Akau Shock ‘n’ Awe Racing Partnership (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM), purchased by David Ellis CNZM for $180,000 at the 2024 New Zealand Bloodstock Ready To Run Sale, from the draft of Riversley Park.

She struck form at the right time, winning the Maiden 1800 metres last Wednesday at Taupo, in order to warrant a start up in class.

In addition to the stakes race, above, Te Akau also has two runners on the undercard.

Francee (5 m Iffraaj – Calveen, by Canny Lad) contests the $120,000 Entain/NZB Insurance Pearl Series Final (Rating 72, 1400m), eligible for $26,000 bonuses, for breeder/owner Haunui Farm.
Class (3 g Embellish – Opulent, by Keeper), a Te Akau homebred, contests the $100,000 Windsor Park Stud 3YO Trophy (1500m), for Te Akau Opulent Syndicate.

Best of luck to all of our connections, we simply can’t wait to see what the day will bring! Best of luck to all of our owners and connections!