Riccarton Double - Treaty Of Paris Terrific

As they did a day earlier at Cambridge, Te Akau trainers Mark Walker & Sam Bergerson produced back-to-back winners on 16 May at Riccarton; the second of them being Treaty Of Paris (4 g Tavistock – Echezeaux, by Encosta de Lago) in the $35,000 Rating 75 2200 metres.

After Luxuriant and Hayate won the last two races at Cambridge, and Caravella scored in the fifth at Riccarton, Treaty Of Paris then obliged in the race named Fire Fighters Challenge – Phil Leabourn.

A winner three starts ago over 2100 metres at Pukekohe, Treaty Of Paris finished sixth on downgraded heavy footing in the Rating 65 & Jumpers High-weight 2000 metres on 26 April at Matamata, before transferring to the Te Akau stable at Riccarton.

Adept on the poly track, with two wins to 2140 metres from four starts, including his Maiden win by nearly eight lengths at Cambridge, Treaty Of Paris carried a nice weight (55kg) and appeared ideally drawn (3) to rate a top three chance.

Punters agreed and he reduced in market fluctuations from $4.50 to pay $2.80 & $1.40 on the NZ TAB tote.

With the premiership leaders combining again: jockey Warren Kennedy and trainers Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson, Treaty Of Paris was in front from the outset, travelled sweetly, and stole an unassailable lead after throttling down inside the 600m. 

It was a clever ride by Kennedy, who knew what he had beneath him after adopting similar tactics when aboard for his huge Maiden win.

Treaty Of Paris is another horse that appears to have thrived since arriving in the South Island, where stable foreman Hunter Durrant oversees the horses and team for Walker and Bergerson, and he delivered the 30th win for the stable this season at Riccarton, while Kennedy also collected his 30th. 

“It was a really good win and a lovely ride of Warren's,” Walker said on course at Riccarton. 

“He’s been a slower maturing horse, but now he’s getting some age on him he’s getting stronger and becoming a decent staying type.

“He was a magnificent sort of yearling when Dave (Ellis) bought him, and he's now coming to it as a proven racehorse. He’s certainly got a good record on the poly track.

“We’ve always rated his ability, but he’s just needed the time to develop, and I think he’ll make a nice Cups' horse next year with even more maturity.”

Treaty Of Paris was purchased as a yearling by David Ellis CNZM at the 2021 Karaka Book 1 Sale, from the draft of Pencarrow Stud, and is owned by Te Akau Treaty Of Paris Racing Partnership (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM). 

Te Akau has had plenty of experience with the family, as not only did they train the dam Echezeaux, a stakes' placed winner of four races from 1600m – 2100m, but Ellis also bought, and Te Akau trained, both five-time Group One winning Champion Sire Darci Brahma (Danehill), and five-time stakes' winning stallion Burgundy (Redoute’s Choice).

Regarded as a Blue Hen mare, the highest accolade afforded to broodmares, grand-dam Grand Echezeaux is the dam of stallions Darci Brahma (Danehill), Saperavi (Stravinsky), and Burgundy (Redoute’s Choice), from a line that produced Caulfield and Melbourne Cup winner Ethereal (Rhythm) to win $6 million in stakes and become the pride and joy of owner/breeder Sir Peter Vela.

“It’s the family of Darci Brahma and Burgundy, which we bought and trained, and each of them became notable sires, especially Darci (Brahma), while unfortunately Burgundy has his career cut short, just when he was starting to take off,” Ellis said.

“This horse is continuing to improve and I can see him developing into a Cups' type for certain.”

Treaty Of Paris was strapped by Naomi Warrander. 

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