Prise De Fer Claims Group 2 Prize

The second of Te Akau's six New Year's Day wins came courtesy of smart gelding Prise De Fer ...

Making it four in a row with the biggest win of his career, Prise De Fer (4 g Savabeel - Foiled, by Snippets) recorded a very strong victory in the $100,000 Rich Hill Mile (Gr. 2, 1600m) on 1 January at Ellerslie.

A smart decision by trainer Jamie Richards to change tack when eyeing a trip south for the Coupland's Bakeries Mile (Gr. 2, 1600m) has certainly paid dividends for owners in the Te Akau En Guarde Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM).

“We thought he could be a suitable horse for the Coupland's, but he's not quite there yet,” Richards had said. “So, we might instead give him a freshen-up and try sneaking him into a race like the Rich Hill Mile.”

Sneak him in, he did, but not without the detection of punters who backed the horse from a fixed odds quote of $4.60 & $1.90 a day earlier to close at $3.20 & $1.80 on the TAB tote.

After notching a hat-trick with an easy victory in the Dunstan Feeds Championship Qualifier (Rating 82, 1500 metres) on 7 December at Ellerslie, all looked in order until drawing barrier 13 threw a curve ball. But, faced with the job, rider Mick Dee overcame the adversity with a brilliant ride. 

Securing cover three wide in the first half of the field, he had Prise De Fer clear to challenge at will, looming at the 300m, before quickening clear when asked to extend and delivering in a comprehensive manner by two lengths.

On footing upgraded to Good3 after race five, Prise De Fer ran the 1600 metres in 1:34.5, last 600m in 34. 

“I'm really pleased with him and he's done a great job to win four on the hop,” Richards said.

“Full credit to the team at home in the colt barn and Mette (Mosebo) has done a great job running that for us. And, Mick (Dee) gave him every possible (chance), 10 out of 10. He was apprenticed at Te Akau before I was here. He's good mates with Dan Miller, who's been an important man to Te Akau as well. It's great to have Mick in the team, and Dean Williams, who did his rides, said he was keen to ride for us. I'm glad it's all come together.”

Commenting on the performance by Prise De Fer, Richards said:

“His lovely long loping stride looks like he's only going half-pace but he quickened well and put a hole in a decent sort of field, so we can lift the bar a bit for him now. He's got a bright future and will only continue to get better.

“We've got a great group of owners out here that Dave (Ellis) and Karyn have got involved. He wasn't an expensive horse. But I just love these Savabeel's. He's such a great sire. 

Richards said there were no firm plans for Prise De Fer, but comments from Mick Dee suggesting the horse would have no problems getting 2000 metres could confirm a path towards the $400,000 Herbie Dyke Stakes (Gr. 1, 2000m) on 8 February at Te Rapa. And interestingly, the winner of the race last year, On the Rocks (Alamosa), also won the Rich Hill. 

“I think the longer trips will be no issue,” Dee said. “He's another year older and really starting to come into his own. It was a very good win, today. I had a handful of horse coming around the corner, hit the front quite early and he had a look around but it was pretty good.”

With five wins and placed three times from 11 starts, Prise De Fer was purchased by David Ellis for $100,000, from the draft of Trelawney Stud, at the 2017 New Zealand Bloodstock Premier Yearling Sale. 

“Trelawney Stud prepared this horse for Raffles Farm and we've had so much success with horses we've bought from the drafts that Brent and Cherry Taylor prepare,” Ellis said.

“Raffles is an incredibly important part of Te Akau Racing. They've got 14 horses in work with us in Singapore. They breed good horses and they're a terrific company to do business with. Bruce Sherwin (GM) is a good friend of mine and Dato Yap is a champion person. I've got a lot of time and respect for their organisation.

“We bought a Tavistock yearling off them this time last year, named Te Akau Ben, and he looks to be a good horse in the making. And it's always a thrill to win a race with a horse we've bought from people that have really supported us. 

“It's a great way to start 2020. We started by winning with Pokuru's Gift at Hastings, owned by one of my best pals Ian Farrelley, and Spirit of Galway, one of the unluckiest horses we've had not to win a race finally broke through with a huge win at Hastings, too. 

“Jamie (Richards) has had a fantastic last 12 months, winning nine Group Ones, leads the Trainers' Premiership with 61 wins and we're really looking forward to the rest of the season.

 â€œI'd also like to congratulate Paul Wilcox (CEO) and Craig Baker (Director of Racing) and the board at the Auckland Racing Club for the great job they're doing. Paul is a great administrator, very popular, and it's evidenced by great days like this.”

Prise De Fer was strapped by Kate Belsham.

Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz

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