On Stage, On Song

The ‘best of the day’ for Racing.com presenter Ben Asgari, Stage ‘n’ Screen (4 m Ace High – Inthespotlight, by O’Reilly) delivered in the A$65,000 Ken Sturt Benchmark 66 1400 metres on Boxing Day at Sandown (Melbourne).

A debut winning three-year-old for Te Akau trainer Mark Walker, that won twice over 1200 metres last season and proved competitive in strong fields, Stage ‘n’ Screen did very well after racing wide to finish second in the Benchmark 66 1400 metres on 5 December at Cranbourne, and appeared ideally drawn (4) to rate a top four chance.

But punters latched on to her after being given a push by Asgari and commentator Matt Hill and she shortened from an opening $6.00 fixed odds quote to pay $2.90 & $1.40 on the NZ TAB.

Ridden by Logan Bates (a2), who reduced the impost to 59.5kg, Stage ‘n’ Screen began well to receive a lovely trip with cover, and although still standing the leader five lengths on straightening, at the 400m she stretched out with a well-timed run to claim victory.

“She jumped fast, there was a bit more pressure than I expected and I wanted to keep her off the rail," Bates said.

"We ended up following one of the favoured runners, and it made my job very easy. I remember riding this horse in the past. She’s come a long way and starting to put it all together. 

“She gave me a beautiful ride, today, and quickened up well. It’s good to get another win for the Te Akau team.”

Stable representative Rachel Ames added: “We ideally wanted her to be forward. She’s a horse you just have to keep happy, and happy he did.

“You couldn’t fault the tempo, it suited her to a tee, and Logan is on fire at the moment, there is no stopping him. 

“It’s a brilliant Christmas present to connections and the team.

“She is absolutely thriving within herself and couldn’t be any better.”

On Good4 footing, Stage ‘n’ Screen ran 1400 metres in 1:24.4 and last 600m in 34.3.

“It was a really satisfying win in a competitive race and she was well ridden by Logan (Bates),” Walker said.

“A lot of effort goes into a mare like this. She’s quite highly strung and Chelsea (Wilson) that rides her every day does a great job.

“We’ve got a great stable team at Cranbourne, and everyone has been working really hard. We’ve had a frustrating run of seconds lately, so that was a satisfying win for all of our team.

“She’s building a nice record for her owners, with three wins and placed three times from eleven starts, and she’s a mare with the ability to win more races. 

“She’s proving herself in city class and the win will boost her confidence.”

Owned by the Te Akau Centre Stage Racing Partnership (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM), Stage ‘n’ Screen was purchased by David Ellis CNZM for $200,000, from the draft of Kiltannon Stables, at the 2023 New Zealand Bloodstock Ready To Run Sale at Karaka - only two months before her half-sister, by Satono Aladdin (Deep Impact), sold for $900,000 at the Karaka 2024 Book 1 Sale. 

Ace High, by Champion Sire and sire of sires High Chaparral (Sadler’s Wells), won the Group 1 Victoria Derby (2500m) and Group 1 Spring Champion Stakes (2000m), hitting the headlines with his first crop when Molly Bloom became his first Group One winner in the Group 1 NZ 1000 Guineas (1600m).

Te Akau trained mare My Lips Are Sealed (Ace High) also chimed in with victory in the Group 3 Phar Lap Trophy (1600m). 

Out of mare by Champion Broodmare Sire O’Reilly (Last Tycoon), Stage ‘n’ Screen is a half-sister to Group 1 Australian Guineas (1600m) placed Japanese Emperor (Satono Aladdin), who also placed in the Group 2 Alister Clark Stakes (2040m), and also the impressive winning filly Imperial Empress (Satono Aladdin).

The family is well known to Te Akau, being that of New Zealand Bloodstock Filly of the Year Amarelinha (Savabeel), whom Ellis purchased as yearling. She went on to win the Group 1 NZ Oaks (2400m), Group 2 David & Karyn Ellis Classic (2000m), Group 2 Eight Carat Classic (1600m), and Group 3 Sunline Vase (2100m). 

This is also the family of Group 1 Rosehill Guineas' winner Metal Bender (Danasinga), a son of third dam Jacqwin (Bluebird). Metal Bender won nine races in Australia, and the title of top Australian 3YO in his year, while Jacqwin has left seven individual winners of 22 races. Her sire, Bluebird (Storm Bird), is a high-quality influence in any pedigree, but represented by only a select band of mares in New Zealand. 

Stage ‘n’ Screen was strapped by Chelsea Wilson. 

Main picture - Stage 'N' Screen winning on debut in Melbourne