Mad about Aotea Lad

A stakes' winner on debut, Aotea Lad  (4 g Savabeel - Corsage, by Volksraad) returned to winning form in the $11,000 Sonia MacFarlane Memorial Rating 74 1600 metres on 24 March at Pukekohe.

Although a touch scarce on wins to date, Aotea Lad has raced in strong age group company throughout his career, gaining nomination for Champion Two-Year-Old, finishing runner-up in the Matamata Slipper (Gr. 3, 1200m), Eclipse Stakes (Gr. 3, 1200m), and Karaka Million (Restricted Listed, 1200m), and third in the Hawkes Bay Guineas (Gr. 2, 1400m).

He had found the line from last when resuming on the course at the end of January,wound up well for third in the Rating 74 1400 metres on 21 February at Hastings, and close to fastest last 600m when getting home in 34.7 for third in the Rating 74 1550 metres on 6 March at Awapuni.

With a positive form line, he was aided by weight relief to 57kg and a good ride by in-form Te Akau apprentice Joe Kamaruddin.

Down to the start looking a picture, Aotea Lad was able to settle off expected leader Cassio (Guillotine) in fourth, biding time as a dual developed in front, and found plenty in a home straight tussle to defeat strongly favoured Jip Jip Rock (High Chaparral). It was a very good effort by both horse and rider.

On footing upgraded to Dead4, he ran the 1600 metres in 1:37.1 and paid $2.80 & $1.30 on the NZ TAB tote.

“He was unlucky last start and ran the best sectionals in the race,” said trainer Jamie Richards. “The plan was to be more positive from the barrier, put him in the race, and Joe did a good job of that.

“He kept the horse balanced in the heat of battle up the straight and it was a good strong win. He's going well and we'll see if we can push him through the grades a bit further. He's done a good job as a two, three, and four-year-old, and the team at the Main Stable are doing a top job with him. He's certainly a lovely horse to have around the stables.”

The dam of Aotea Lad, Corsage, was purchased by Te Akau principal David Ellis CNZM as a yearling a Karaka, going on to win three times from 1100m - 1400m, Group One placed in the Diamond Stakes (Gr. 1, 1200m), third in the Matamata Breeders' Stakes (Gr. 2, 1200m), and unfortunately relegated to second in the Ray Coupland Stakes (Listed, 1400m). She was Joint Second Top Filly on the 2008-09 2YO Free Handicaps.

“Corsage was a very good filly,” Ellis said. “Mark Walker and I bought her for $25,000 and she's proved a really good investment. She was Group One placed and a very unlucky fifth in the Karaka Million.

“We bred Aotea Lad. He was born and broken-in at Te Akau Stud, and we've got a weanling full-sister in the paddock at home, an absolutely beautiful filly.

“We had two runners today for a first and second and Jamie's 131^stwinner for the season, which is incredible given it's still March, and well on his way to chasing down the record of 143.

“I'm thrilled for Joe (Kamaruddin) and I just love seeing our apprentices do well. He has hit his straps of late, with a double for the stable last week, and he won for us on Markus Aurelius on Derby Day at Ellerslie. He's showing really good improvement and confidence and his weight claim is invaluable.

“Today Aotea Lad was carded to carry 60kg, which is always a tough weight, but getting down to 57kg with Joe aboard was a big help. He won the Group Two Wakefield Stakes (1100m) at his first start. I'm thrilled for all the owners that he's won again and looks in the right shape to go on.”

Corsage (Volksraad), from Spray (Entrepreneur), in turn is from the great race mare Seamist (Beaufort Sea), winner of 12 races, including the Auckland Stakes (Gr. 1, 2000m), runner-up in both the Thorndon Mile (Gr. 1, 1600m) and 1000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m), and as fine a filly as you would wish to see.

Aotea Lad was strapped by Nardia Zainal, partner of the winning jockey and a very hard-working young woman.

Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz