Six Win Saturday - Win No.6 Markus Aurelius

Rounding out six wins for the day, Markus Aurelius (4 g Ghibellines - Evancho, by Shinzig) jogged home in the last race of the Christchurch Cup Carnival on Saturday at Riccarton.

Unceremoniously halted in his form line after going too quickly in front on 24 October in the Rating 74 1800 metres at Riccarton, trainer Jamie Richards, who had visions of stepping him to 2000 metres during Cup Week, changed tack and again made a pointed decision in reverting back to a mile.

Markus Aurelius had stretched out running home in a slick 32.9 (final 600m) on the course two starts ago when winning the Rating 65 1400 metres on 3 October, and similarly was too good for the opposition when quickening clear in the straight.

Positively ridden by man of the moment Opie Bosson, Markus Aurelius took a while to steady after beginning smartly from barrier four, but he went forward ominously inside the 300m and powered away like a good horse in the making to win by three and a quarter lengths. 

Out of the pack and chasing home strongly in the $40,000 Speight's Rating 74 1600 metres, stable-mate Aotea Lad (Savabeel) finished second in a performance that suggested a return to winning form is near. 

“He was able to capitalize on a good draw and raced prominently,” Richards said. “Opie (Bosson) had a lapful of horse when he turned for home. He went through his gears nicely and won with a fair bit of authority, so he's a horse on the rise. 

“We've taken him along quietly and I think it's all in front of him. He's sort of an old fashioned type of South Island bred horse and getting better with time. I thought Opie gave him a lovely ride and he's a progressive horse heading into next autumn. 

“I was really proud of Aotea Lad's run as well. Rohan (Mudhoo) gave him a lovely ride and he really found the line well. He hasn't had a lot of luck throughout this preparation, but he's knocking on the door and should pick up another win soon.

“It's been a fantastic day for the stable, all our owners, and I'm so thrilled for the staff, particularly in the South Island, who had been working some massively long hours. They got the rewards here today and it's down to their hard work that the horses have raced so well.

“We'll celebrate tonight what has been a fantastic day for Te Akau at both Riccarton, and Tauranga.”

On a big day for the stable, punters took heed and shortened Markus Aurelius into $3.60 from an earlier fixed odds quote of $6.00. Given Dead5 track conditions that stood up well to 35 races in a week, he clocked the 1600 metres in 1:36.4.

A bargain buy ($13,000) by David Ellis CNZM at the 2018 New Zealand Bloodstock South Island Sale, from the draft of White Robe Lodge, and owned by the Te Akau Great Southern Man Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn-Fenton Ellis MNZM), Markus Aurelius has now won three of his eight starts, with two seconds and a third. He carries a lovely Danehill cross, through the dam side of Ghibellines and as the sire of dam sire Shinzig. His dam, Evancho (Shinzig), won four times to 2100 metres, 

“It's not easy to describe my emotions after such an incredible day for the Te Akau stables,” Ellis said. 

“Five winners on New Zealand Cup Day at Riccarton, unheard of, and for Festivity to make it six at Tauranga rounded out one of my most memorable days I've ever experienced in racing. We started with a quinella, picked up the Welcome Stakes and the 1000 Guineas, quinellaed the last race of the carnival, and got a great win at Tauranga. 

“I'm so excited for all our owners who enjoyed wins in horses today and it really is very special.

“Jamie (Richards) is such a wonderful young trainer, with an amazing record, and a role model for all our team, both junior and senior. He has an amazing work ethic, capacity and intellect to organise everything and uses technology to his advantage.

“His father, Paul Richards, has run the stable and team brilliantly in the South Island, leading up to and during Cup Week, and now all the horses down there can come home for a well earned spell.

“Karyn and I couldn't be more proud of how everything is going and, as always, we are so grateful to our owners for investing in the horses we buy. Without them we wouldn't be winning these races.

“We've had six wins today, so that's 52 this season for Te Akau in New Zealand plus a Group 1 and Group 3 in Australia, and we have quite a few good chances racing on Sunday at Waverley, too.”

Markus Aurelius was strapped by Lydia Truesdale.

Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz

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