Rhetorical on Song

Last start course winner Rhetorical (2 f Snitzel - Xpression, by Showcasing) led home a Te Akau trifecta in the $30,000 NZB Insurance Pearl Series 2YO 800 metres (eligible $13,000 bonus) on Saturday at Riccarton.

After debuting with fifth on Heavy10 to stable-mate Rubicon Crossing (Rubick), who finished third, in the Maiden 2YO 800 metres on 3 September at Wanganui, Rhetorical produced a polished victory in the Maiden 2YO 800 metres on 1 October at Riccarton, and repeated the dose.

With Champion Te Akau apprentice Joe Kamaruddin in the saddle, Rhetorical crossed to race outside leader Sky On Fire (Exceed And Excel) and following a home stretch duel, she drew a half neck margin on her stable-mate near the line.

On footing upgraded to Good3, Rhetorical returned luxurious odds, drifting from an earlier $4.00 fixed odds quote to pay $6.10 & $1.90 on the NZ TAB tote.

“She's very professional, given a lovely ride by Joe, and should be better suited going 1000 metres and beyond,” said trainer Mark Walker.

Walker was referring to the $80,000 Welcome Stakes (Listed, 1000m) on the middle day (9 November) of Cup Week at Riccarton, in which all three are likely to contest providing they train on well in the interim.

Te Akau has previously won the Welcome Stakes seven times, most recently with Avonallo (Belardo) in 2020.

Owned by Te Akau Xpression Racing Partnership (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM), Rhetorical was purchased as a yearling by David Ellis CNZM for $270,000 at the 2022 Karaka Book 1 Sale, from the draft of Haunui Farm.

“That was a fantastic training performance to trifecta the race and congratulations to Hunter Durrant and his team that are looking after the horses at our stable base at Riccarton,” Ellis said.

“It's not easy to buy a filly by Champion Sire Snitzel for that kind of money and she's made a great start to her racing career for the owners, so congratulations to them.”

By Champion Sire of Two-Year-Olds in Australia, Snitzel (Redoute's Choice), Rhetorical, who carries a Danzig bloodline cross though her sire-lines, is the first foal from quality race filly Xpression: two-year-old winner of the Wakefield Stakes (Gr. 2, 1200m), Barneswood Farm Stakes (Gr. 3, 1400m), and placed in the 1000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m) at Riccarton.

At the time of purchase Ellis said: “She was a standout filly in our opinion and a beautiful first foal by a multiple Champion Sire.

“A natural looking, speedy, two-year-old type, with plenty of quality, her mother exuded a lot of class as a dual stakes winner and really tested our Champion filly Avantage (Fastnet Rock) in the Gold Trail Stakes (Gr. 3, 1200m).

Also by Snitzel, Ellis purchased Champion Two-Year-Old Sword of State as a yearling and the colt that ran blistering times is now standing his first season at Cambridge Stud.

Rhetorical was strapped by Hunter Durrant.

Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz & Canterbury Jockey Club