Riccarton Double - A Dream Win

Bringing about a milestone for Te Akau trainers Mark Walker & Sam Bergerson, Dream Of The Moon (3 f All Too Hard – Moonchild, by Charge Forward) justified favouritism in the $25,000 Rating 65 1200 metres on 5 March at Riccarton. 

Since the partnership formed last season, and they won the premiership with 169 wins, Walker & Bergerson have recorded 50 wins on the turf track at Riccarton, and remain the leading stable in the South Island with 35 wins this season. 

Among the 50, there have been seven stakes' wins, highlighted by Captured By Love (Written Tycoon) winning the Group 1 NZ 1000 Guineas and a staying double by Mehzebeen in the Listed Metropolitan Trophy and Group 3 New Zealand Cup during Cup Week last November. 

Impressive winning on the course as a two-year-old, before finishing third to Captured By Love (mentioned above) in the Group 2 Wakefield Stakes (1100m), Dream Of The Moon had proved up to the best of her age in stakes races earlier this season: finishing second in both the Listed Canterbury Belle Stakes (1200m) and Group 3 Barneswood Farm Stakes (1400m), before sustaining an injury.

Off the scene since last October, she was not under any pressure when finishing strongly to win a trial on 25 February at Ashburton, and appeared well placed to strike first-up in Rating 65 grade. 

Ridden by Michael McNab, who won the prior event on stable-mate Hooray For Harry, Dream Of The Moon travelled comfortably outside the leader and responded when asked to lengthen inside the 200m, before drawing out to win by one length.

“It was a really good fresh-up effort to win like that and a lovely ride of Michael’s,” said Mark Walker, who trains with Sam Bergerson. 

“Obviously, it was a big disappointment when she was ruled out of the Guineas, when she rolled and cut her hind leg, that was just so unfortunate.

“So, it was great to see her back and she’ll improve off today’s run, ahead of bigger assignments. 

“It’s important to build the black type in her CV and we’ll be looking to do that in that in the upcoming weeks.”

In the race named Book A Suite For Autumn, on Heavy8 footing, Dream Of The Moon ran 1200 metres in 1:12.5 and paid $1.80 on the NZ TAB tote. 

Owned by the Te Akau Moon Dreaming Racing Partnership (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM), Dream Of The Moon was purchased by David Ellis CNZM for A$160,000 at the 2023 Gold Coast Yearling Sale, from the draft of Glenbeigh Farm.

Following her first win, as a two-year-old Ellis said: “She has developed into a really good sort of filly, quite striking, and her temperament, manners, and professionalism has just blossomed with her maturity.

“I bought the filly at the Magic Millions Sale (Gold Coast), so she’s not eligible for the Karaka Millions, but like Imperatriz and Avantage, she too was one of the last yearlings to sell.”

Te Akau continues to have success with progeny by All Too Hard (Casino Prince), having trained Canterbury Belle Stakes (Listed, 1200m) winner Viva Vienna, and imposing sprinter Insatiable, who clocked fastest last 600m (31.5) on the day when finishing third in the Open Handicap 1200 metres last Saturday at Trentham. 

The Australian Champion Three-Year-Old, All Too Hard is a half-brother to unbeaten champion Black Caviar (Bel Esprit), who won all 25 of her starts including 15 Group One. 

Winning three times as a two-year-old, All Too Hard won three Group One races over 1400 metres in Australia: All Aged Stakes, Futurity Stakes, C. F. Orr Stakes, and now made his mark as a sire with progeny winning over 1700 races, including 72 stakes wins.

Dream Of The Moon is from an unraced mare by Charge Forward (Red Ransom), an extremely talented Group One winning racehorse and sought for stallion duties at Arrowfield Stud. 

Grand-dam Flowerchild, winner of three races to 1250 metres, is by Champion Sire and Broodmare Sire Redoute’s Choice (Danehill), and third dam North Flower is by legendary Australian sire Rory’s Jester (Crown Jester). 

Dream Of The Moon carries a Danehill cross through the sire line of All Too Hard and dam-line of Moonchild.

Dream Of The Moon was strapped by Ashlyn Lee. 

Photo credit - Ajay Berry - www.raceimages.co.nz