Second Win in Eight Hours

Te Akau Racing's second win in eight hours also came in New Zealand in the famous Pencarrow colours .....

Arpeggio (4 m Tavistock - Macchiato, by Night Shift), owned by Sir Peter Vela, and bred along with his late brother Philip, appeared one of the best chances for trainers Stephen Autridge & Jamie Richards on New Year's Day and she duly delivered in the $10,000 Best Travel Rating 75 1200 metres at Hastings.

Having resumed with an impressive victory in the Stella Artois Rating 75 1200 metres on 10 December at Hastings, carrying 56kgs, Arpeggio carried only one kilo more and had the advantage of barrier one.

Away smartly to ease for a trail at the 900m, rider Johnathon Parkes had her off the rail to challenge at the 300m and she came clear to justify the $2.50 & $1.50 favouritism.

Arpeggio ran the 1200 metres in 1:10.2, last 600m in 34.7.

The winner of four races from only seven starts, Arpeggio holds a nomination for the $200,000 Thorndon Mile (Gr. 1, 1600m) on 23 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.

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.

The goal now with Arpeggio will be to prove herself at stakes' level for the breeding nursery that is Pencarrow Stud.

Picture credit - www.raceimages.co.nz