Te Akau Exhibition Gallops

Trainer Jason Bridgman took the opportunity to give stakes' performers Rockfast (Fastnet Rock), Darci's Dream (Darci Brahma) and Windborne (Darci Brahma) an exhibition gallop between races on December 17 at Matamata.

Unfortunately rain on the day saw the late scratching of Te Akau runners Opulent (Keeper), now engaged Saturday at Te Rapa, and La Adelita (High Chaparral), after Seline (Pins) had finished third in race one.

Runner-up in their respective Group 1 Guineas' races in November at Riccarton, Rockfast (with Danielle Johnson aboard) and Darci's Dream (under Matt Cameron) clocked 1000 metres in 1:02.2, last 600m in 37.4, on Slow7 footing.

“Both horses can handle a bit of cut in the track,” said Bridgman. “Darci's Dream tends in a gallop situation to over do it a little bit and he (Rockfast) just got the measure of her late. But he went to the paddock a week earlier than her and has had the benefit of an extra week's work.

“I'm very pleased with both and in particular Rockfast, I'm really looking forward to him stepping up over middle distances,” said Bridgman.

The going had worsened to Slow9 for Murdoch Newell Stakes' (Listed, 1100m) winner Windborne (Darci Brahma) to gallop over 1000m in 1:04.7, last 600m in 39.2 with Matt Cameron up.

“She had ten days off at the water walker and she pulled up very well from the win,” said Bridgman.

“We're plotting the right way to the Karaka Million for her and we think she only needs one more run - the Eclipse Stakes (Gr. 3, 1200m) on January 1.

“She's just had a run a long today, after five and half weeks between runs, to make sure she's up to the mark. She's put on eighteen kilos since the win at Avondale, so she's going the right way and we couldn't be happier."

On preparing a horse for the richest race in the New Zealand - $1 million Karaka Million (Listed, 1200m) - Bridgman said: “Fast horses make the job easier, there's no question about it. If you're going into that race with a realistic chance, they've got to put their hand up themselves and you can't force it into them. It's about what they can do on their own natural ability. She (Windborne) looks very smart and there are a couple of other smart ones she hasn't faced yet, so it's going to be an interesting race.

“In her first race, she ran her last 600m in 32.8 and there are not many horses that have that kind of speed. It's going to make her really hard to beat in a lot of races if she gets the right draw and runs."

The three-year-old filly Darci's Dream and year younger Windborne are sisters, out of the Van Nistelrooy mare Sweet Dreams Baby and were bred by Te Akau principal David Ellis and Karyn Fenton-Ellis.

“We gave Darci's Dream and Rockfast ten days off after Riccarton,” said Bridgman. “They absolutely flourished on the spring grass at Te Akau Stud and I'm really pleased. They've strengthened and developed further, so good signs coming into summer racing.

“It's really a season of two halves for the three-year-olds: the sprinter/miler division in the first half and now we're looking to the longer distance events.

“Darci's Dream is looking to resume in the Eight Carat Stakes (Gr. 2, 1600m) on Boxing Day at Ellerslie and possibly backup a week later in the Royal Stakes (Gr. 2, 2000m). She'll be taking the pathway through the filly races.

“Rockfast will go a week later (January 1) to the Great Northern Guineas (Gr. 2, 1600m). His target is the NZ Derby and we'll plot a path once we get the first run under his belt,” said Bridgman.

James McDonald has been engaged to ride Rockfast.

“Obviously it's great for Matt (Cameron) to have a chance to ride what looks a very promising horse in Volkstok'n'barrell (Tavistock) and we've made an early move secure a top-liner for our colt and give him every opportunity. We're delighted to James on,” said Bridgman.