Shark Owners Strike Again

The Informant reports:

Some of the owners of explosive galloper Te Akau Shark may have struck gold again with You're Welcome, who scored a smart debut victory at Matamata on Saturday.

Sydneysiders Steve Mace, Chris Russell, Wayne Knight and Cronulla Sharks captain Paul Gallen dipped their toes into New Zealand racehorse ownership with Te Akau Shark, who has won five of his six starts including electrifying performances in this season's Gr. 2 Coupland's Bakeries Mile and Gr. 3 Spring Sprint.

The quartet also own shares in You're Welcome, a Camelot gelding who was bought by Te Akau principal David Ellis for $200,000 at the 2017 Ready to Run Sale. The syndicate also features Kiwi couple Jim and Pauline Hepburn, who are fellow share-holders in Te Akau Shark.

An impressive trial winner at Te Aroha earlier this month, You're Welcome was the $2.40 favourite for Saturday's K R Bell Electrical 1200.

Ridden by Opie Bosson, the big bay began only fairly but was urged forward in the first 100 metres to stalk the front-running Foo An Songs.

You're Welcome took the lead at the top of the straight, and while backmarkers came at him strongly in the last 250 metres, he never looked in any danger of defeat and held on by a long neck.

“We had to work a little bit early, but he came back to me beautifully,” Bosson said. “Once he got to the front in the straight, he always had them covered.

“He definitely wants to go further than the 1200 metres of today's race. The way he relaxes, he'll get a Derby trip in time. He's always shown a bit at home, and his last trial was very impressive. Today was even better than that.”

You're Welcome holds a nomination for the Gr. 1 Vodafone New Zealand Derby at Ellerslie on March 2, for which he is now rated a $41 chance.

“He's still a work in progress, but it was a good effort today to quicken like he did,” trainer Jamie Richards said.

“He's raced by some pretty important owners for our stable, so it's good to have another good winner for them. He's another good winner that David bought out of the Ready to Run Sale.

“He's still a bit immature, so we'll just see how he does before making any firm plans. There's no rush. If he needs more time, we'll give him more time.

“It's possible that the New Zealand Derby might come up a bit too soon for him, but not to worry - there's always Australia.”