Our Fabulous 'Famous' One

Hall of Fame (3 c Savabeel - Around the Clock, by Galileo) rocketed into favouritism for the 2000 Guineas with an effortless victory in the $70,000 Zacinto Stakes (Listed, 1600m) on Saturday 22 October at Riccarton.

A fortnight out from the $400,000 Sothys 44^th New Zealand 2000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m) on 5 November at Riccarton, Hall of Fame could not have been more impressive leading up to one of the most prestigious races for three-year-olds.

Having raced clear to win the $20,000 Inglewood Stud Guineas' Trial by three and a quarter lengths on 1 October at Riccarton, he increased the margin to five lengths on this occasion and is now unbeaten in two starts on the course.

Wanting to go faster in front for jockey Matt Cameron, Hall of Fame travelled better than his four rivals as early as the 600m and after changing stride with a four length advantage at the 200m he cruised clear in little more than an exercise gallop.

“Matt (Cameron) rode him exactly how we wanted him to,” said Te Akau principal David Ellis. “And geez, when you've got Matt on top you know you've got every chance."

Cranked in to $1.30 on the tote, Hall of Fame ran the 1600 metres in 1.36.9, last 600m in 34.3, and shortened from $8 to $6 for the 2000 Guineas.

With a registered name: Canterbury Stakes, Hall of Fame became the sixth winner of the past ten years for Te Akau, after being won previously by Risque (Darci Brahma), Burgundy (Redoute's Choice), King's Ransom (King's Chapel), Tell A Tale (Tale of the Cat), and Princess Coup (Encosta De Lago).

Owned by the Te Akau 24/7 Syndicate, Hall of Fame was purchased by David Ellis for $230,000 at the 2015 New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sale of 2YOs, from the draft of Lyndhurst Farm.

Ellis said: “Aren't we lucky at Te Akau to have unbelievably talented staff?

“Kris and Nicole Shailer have been down in the South Island for six or seven weeks and they've got the horses peaking at the right time.

“Dan Miller, our number one track work rider, went down ten days ago and rode this colt in work this week and he told me ‘boss, this horse is absolutely flying and gives me a terrific feel'.

“They're all doing a terrific job with the colt, and he's a colt with immense quality.

“When I first saw him I thought it was Galileo himself in front of me,” said Ellis, who had inspected his dam-sire, Galileo (Sadler's Wells), at Coolmore, in Ireland.

“He's just a dead-ringer for the great stallion."

Hall of Fame has now won three of his six starts, and not really put a foot wrong in his bid for Group One honours.

“He's owned by some our very best owners who have supported me in everything and I'm just so delighted for them.   It's the second stakes' race we've won already with our three-year-olds, and we've now got two really good chances with Hall of Fame and Heroic Valour in the 2000 Guineas."

Hall of Fame continued the roll for trainers Stephen Autridge and Jamie Richards, after five times stakes placed Princess Davone (Iffraaj) resumed with a win in the Rating 75 1200 metres, a day earlier, at Pukekohe.

“It was a great win and we could not be more impressed with the way he won,” Richards said.

“While not quite one-hundred percent sure about the quality of his opposition, it was a good confidence boosting win.  Dave, myself, Steve and Matt had a good chat beforehand and planned to take bad luck out of the equation and go forward and try and get some cheap sectionals around the top - and he really found a good turn of foot when he let down.

“It was super to have some his lovely owners on course, which was great and it's now onwards and upwards towards the Guineas in two weeks.  He's in very good form and we couldn't be any happier with the way he's going."

“Matt now has a tough decision to make,” added Richards, with regards the choice of Hall of Fame or Heroic Valour.

Hall of Fame was strapped by Kris Shailer.

Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz

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