Prise De Fer Picture Perfect

Justifying favouritism in an even field, Prise De Fer (4 g Savabeel - Foiled, by Snippets) recorded a second-up victory in the $11,000 H J Asmuss Rating 72 1400 metres on Sunday at Te Teko.

In a race set up in front by stable-mate Meteoric Lass (Stratum), who fought hard for a close third, Prise Der Fer circled widest from second last under a driving finish by Opie Bosson. A furlong out it appeared Danielle Johnson may have stolen a march aboard Meteoric Lass, before Prise De Fer and Bosson arrived to claim victory in the last few strides.

Having resumed with a solid performance for third off a wide gate in the Rating 72 1300 metres on 20 September at Taupo, the Te Akau En Guarde Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM) owned gelding delivered on his three-year-old promise and appears assured of higher achievements.

Purchased by David Ellis for $100,000, from the draft of Trelawney Stud, at the 2017 New Zealand Bloodstock Premier Yearling Sale, Prise De Fer registered a win and two seconds from a handful of starts last season. He raced well in the $1m Karaka Million 3YO Classic, Avondale Guineas (Gr. 2, 2100m), and culminated his campaign with an unlucky eighth in the NZ Derby (Gr. 1, 2400m). 

Although destined for further, winning over 1400 metres, as per his Maiden victory, was made more meritorious given footing (Slow7) not quite to his liking.

“Blinkers back on today were a big assist to the horse,” said Te Akau trainer Jamie Richards. “He was okay at Taupo, but we do like him and we'd like to think he could be good enough to get to the Coupland's in November. So, to be fair he had to win today and he got there and did the job on ground that's probably slightly beyond him. 

“He'll continue to improve as he gets a bit further into his preparation, but a lovely, well timed ride from Opie.”

Richards suggested that Prise De Fer would probably have to get his rating up for the $230,000 Coupland's Bakeries Mile (Gr. 2, 1600m) on 13 November at Riccarton, won impressively last year by stable-mate Te Akau Shark (Rip Van Winkle).

“He could get on a float and go down nice and early,” Richards said. “We'll get him home and have a look at him. He's a little bit fine, not the best of eaters, but he's got a really good action, plenty of natural ability, and we think he's quite a nice handicap sort of horse.

“Dave (Ellis) bought him off Raffles Farm, good supporters of Mark Walker's in Singapore, and we're always glad to get a good winner with their (RF) brand on it.

A very good example of a horse by five-time Champion sire Savabeel (Zabeel), with a Northern Dancer cross in his sire lines, Pris De Fer is from a Snippets (Lunchtime) mare that has already left stakes winner of eight races, Belong to Many (Belong to Me). Snippets, the sire of outstanding Waikato Stud stallion Pins, has left plenty of stakes winners and regarded as a very promising broodmare sire.

“Speaking with Opie (Bosson) this morning and he was very confident of winning on Prise De Fer,” said Te Akau principal David Ellis. “It's such an advantage in our stable to have him riding work and races because he's an incredible judge.

“After an enormous day yesterday, when Opie rode Melody Belle to win the Livamol and become the first ever Triple Crown winner at Hastings, and Probabeel finishing second in the Flight Stakes and Te Akau Shark second in the Epsom (both at Randwick), it's nice to see the stable win again today.

“One of the biggest advantages we've got is to have Opie, Troy (Harris), and Michael (McNab) riding our track work. All three are very good riders and what's more, they're very good educators of horses and great judges. 

“Jamie (Richards) arrived back in Auckland at one o'clock in the morning, was back in Matamata at three, and helping the staff at six o'clock this (Sunday) morning, and somebody that works that hard deserves the results he's getting.

“I'm so proud of everyone that works for Te Akau Racing. It's such a team job, they're all working so hard and they deserve every success.” 

Prise De Fer was strapped by Julie Solomon.

Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz

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