Shark Attack

“Excitement machine” Te Akau Shark (4 g Rip Van Winkle - Bak da Chief, by Chief Bearhart) took another step towards stardom with a phenomenal performance to win the $70,000 Red Badge Spring Sprint (Gr. 3, 1400m) by three lengths on Saturday 6 October at Hastings.

Five weeks after resuming on the same course with a super win in the Rating 82 1200 metres, running the fastest last 600m (34.6) on the day, Te Akau Shark devoured his rivals to record his fourth win from five starts for owners Steve Mace, David Ellis, Paul Gallen, Greg Taylor, Chris Russell, Matt Allenby, Wayne Knight, Ruth Redwood, William Thrupp, Jim & Pauline Hepburn, and Donna & Robert Rudd.

Ridden by Michael Coleman, Te Akau Shark settled back in the field from barrier 11, was 10^th and 12 lengths from the leader approaching the 600m, then.... in the words of commentator Tony Lee: “he's really starting to release again, he's an excitement machine, he gave them the go by, and away he goes the showy chestnut. That was brilliant”.

On footing (Dead4) with the sting out of it, Te Akau Shark ran a fabulous time (1:22.6) and heavily backed he returned $2.00 & $1.40 on the tote.

“His work had been really good and the five weeks between runs suited him,” said trainer Jamie Richards. “His recent gallop at Ellerslie was spot on. He's got an electric turn of foot, quite an unassuming sort of horse, relaxed sort of character, his preparation had gone perfectly and he turned up in really good order.

“He took a bit of making to start with. He had the blinkers on as a three-year-old, but certainly hasn't needed those in this preparation and if we can keep him sound he's bound for the top. When he has a gallop in company he knows it's go time and he really puts his best foot forward in everything that he does.

“Again, I say it a bit, but big thanks to the team at home because they honestly take such good care of these horses and I'm only a very small part of it.

“We've got a great team of owners here that Dave (Ellis) got involved in The Shark. Obviously, some boys from Sydney, Jim & Pauline (Hepburn), and all here with their shark hats on.”

Purchased by David Ellis for $230,000 at the New Zealand Bloodstock 2016 Ready to Run Sale, from the draft of Lyndhurst Farm, Te Akau Shark is from Waikato Cup (Gr. 2, 2400m) winner Bak da Chief, and the manner in which he disposed of a field containing War Affair (O'Reilly), who has been rated 120, speaks volumes for his promise.

Ellis said: “Opie (Bosson) has been riding him in his work for the last month and he just thought he was the biggest certainty you could ever see today, thought he was unbeatable, and it was great that Micky (Coleman), who's got a very safe set of hands, was able to get down to 53 kilos to ride him, which was a great effort and he rode him beautifully too. I think he was pretty impressed.

“It's not easy to get down to that weight, it's hard to do, and Micky showed plenty of discipline and I like to see the riders that put the effort in get the results.”

Post race reports:

Te Akau principal David Ellis said: “Ladies and gentlemen, it's always a thrill to be at this great race day and it's one of my favourites.

“I'd like to congratulate the Hawkes Bay Jockey Club and the Chief Executive, Butch Castles, who I regard as the very best in the business. Everything has been done well. It's a lovely track and a great crowd and it's a thrill to be part of it.

“I'd like to thank my fellow owners in Te Akau Shark who are here today. Jim & Pauline (Hepburn) support Karyn and me in everything we do. They're just champions.  And my friends from Australia, Steve (Mace) and Chris (Russell), they're two champions, and Karyn and I are thrilled you and your families could join us here in New Zealand.

“Jamie (Richards) has done a wonderful job with this horse. He's in front in the premiership (20 wins at a 3.2 strike rate) and he's doing a great job of training the horses at Te Akau. He's a champion person and we're so proud to have him in the team.

“Michael Coleman got down to 53 kilos to ride this horse, which is a really good effort, and to the staff, Teina Walters (here), I'd like you to convey to all the team back at home, all the hard work they've done throughout the winter, it's not forgotten, it's hugely appreciated, because you guys are the true champions of our industry.”

Co-owner Chris Russell (with wife Katrina, and son Ethan): “A cancelled flight meant we didn't get to see his last race here, but we watched it at Te Akau Stud with Dave & Karyn and it was very exciting.

“We came down a day earlier to make sure we were here this time. We had a lovely time last night with Dave & Karyn and the crew.

“We were excited for the race, but a bit worried about a leader bias on the track. But when Madison County and Melt came down the outside in the (Hawkes Bay) Guineas, we started thinking maybe he was a half a chance.

“Michael (Coleman) rode him beautifully and what Jamie and Dave and the team have done with the horse is fantastic, brilliant. We watched it with Teina and to watch with someone who's been so involved with the horse was excellent. He said trust the horse, and he didn't let us down, did he.

“I loved his second win, last season at Matamata, when he came around them after racing wide and throwing his head, but his acceleration last start, there weren't many of my mates that I showed the video back in Oz that didn't go Wow!

“As soon as he pulled around Love Affair in the straight today, he was confident and he hit the button. We were joking that we wanted him to hit the front early today, because we didn't want him to have to make up a huge amount of ground again, so when he hit the front at the 200m we started celebrating.

“His acceleration is phenomenal and it's great to watch. Dave and the guys said they couldn't have been happier with him before the race and he always looks a good-looking rooster to us.”

Te Akau Shark was strapped by Chelsea Burdan.

Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz