'Second Leg' of Te Akau's Winning Treble

Arpeggio (4 m Tavistock - Macchiato, by Night Shift), owned by Sir Peter Vela, and bred along with his late brother Philip, made an auspicious start to a fresh campaign with an impressive victory in the Stella Artois Rating 75 1200 metres on 10 December at Hastings.

With Darryl Bradley aboard, who won the Bulls' Country Cup (1500m) on stable-mate Silverdale (Castledale) recently, Arpeggio was eased to last of the six runners and aided by a genuine pace. Under a hold at the 600m, standing the leader six lengths, she quickened to lead at the 200m and went through the line with her ears pricked.

Drifting late in the betting market to return luxurious odds of $4.60 & $2.20, Arpeggio covered the 1200 metres in 1:10.4 and last 600m in 33.8.

“It was a lovely run race, as it was always going to be, and it suited my mare right down to the ground,” said Bradley.

“I didn't want too much of an ask in the home straight, and I thought if they kick off the front it could be a bit hard to pull back, so I thought to get within striking range. She did it nicely and I was never in doubt.

The winner of three races from only six starts, Arpeggio holds a nomination for the $200,000 Thorndon Mile (Gr. 1, 1600m) in January at Trentham, and hails from talented mare Macchiato.

Macchiato, like her daughter Arpeggio was bred and owned by the Vela brothers who entrusted Te Akau with training the pair. It was Mark Walker that prepared Macchiato to win on debut by more than four lengths over 1200 metres in January 2001 at Rotorua, and she cemented her talent with four wins from only nine starts.

Pencarrow Stud Racing Manager Garry Cossey said: “We're rapt with the result and she's obviously come back super. She trialled well and has raced accordingly in a race where she was very well placed.

“We would love to get some black type with her and we'll have a chat to the team. She's probably a 1:10 mare, but a race like the Newmarket Handicap [Listed 1200m on Boxing Day at Ellerslie] could come up a bit soft."

Co-trainer Stephen Autridge said: “Arpeggio's a horse on the up that could go right through the grades. She had a few niggles last time in work, but she has none now and certainly won with a bit in hand."

Macchiato has a colt by Tavistock (Montjeu), Lot 384 in the Premier Session of the New Zealand Bloodstock Yearling Sales Series in January at Karaka.

Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz