Proud 2000 Guineas Reputation to Uphold for Te Akau

The Informant writes:

The more things change, the more they stay the same.

There may be new trainers at the helm of Te Akau Racing, but the team remains as prominent as ever in the countdown to tomorrow's (Saturday) Gr. 1 Sothys New Zealand 2000 Guineas at Riccarton.

Te Akau's tangerine and royal blue colours have been carried to 2000 Guineas glory four times in the last 12 years by King's Chapel, Darci Brahma, Tell A Tale and Rock 'N' Pop. Talented colts Xtravagant (main picture) and Bishop Rock (below) have the responsibility of upholding that proud tradition in the 2015 renewal.

Co-trainer Jamie Richards is looking forward to seeing what the youngsters can do tomorrow, and the possibility of training his first Group One winner in tomorrow's $400,000 classic only adds to the excitement.

“It's a massive buzz,” said Richards, who trains the pair in partnership with Stephen Autridge. “I'm really grateful to the team for the support and the opportunity, and now I'm just looking forward to the challenge. We've got two exciting colts who are both in very good order going into the race.”

Leading the Te Akau Guineas charge is Xtravagant, the favourite for tomorrow's race at $3.50.

A $375,000 Karaka yearling purchase by Te Akau principal David Ellis, Xtravagant will bid to go one better than his brother He's Remarkable, who was pipped by Jimmy Choux in a photo finish in 2010.

“He's got a great pedigree,” Richards told The Informant. “We saw Pentire sire the Melbourne Cup winner this week. He's been a very good sire and Xtravagant is a good young prospect for him.”

A spectacular debut winner by seven and a quarter lengths at Hastings in April, Xtravagant was unplaced in the Northland Breeders' Stakes at Ruakaka in his resuming run in September. He followed that up with an encouraging third on an unsuitable slow track at Te Rapa, then cruised to victory by two and a quarter lengths in the Guineas Prelude at Trentham last time out.

“He was inexperienced at Ruakaka and didn't know what racing was about,” Richards said. “He seems to be learning now. Stephen and I were pleased with the way he dropped his head at Wellington and did everything right.

“He seems to be heading the right way. He's only going to improve with more experience and confidence.

“He's done super since Trentham. He went back to Otaki for a couple of days with Howie Mathews, then came down to Riccarton earlier this week and settled in really well. Both of our Guineas horses are staying with Les Didham down here and we're really happy with how they're doing.”

Xtravagant will be ridden by stable jockey Matt Cameron and will break from a wide gate of 13, right next to his stablemate Bishop Rock. The Fastnet Rock colt, who cost $250,000 at Karaka (also bought by David Ellis) will be having just his third career start. After finishing sixth on debut, he stepped up to 1600 metres and scored an easy maiden win at Ashburton last time out.

“He's always looked like a horse who's needed more ground,” Richards said. “He's stepping a long way up in grade, coming out of a maiden, but he's won over a mile already.

“He's done really well since Ashburton and everything's been spot on with him. He came down here early in the spring, and that can be a big advantage building up to the Guineas. It's worked well for Te Akau in the past.”