Six Win Taupo - Win 6 Cognito Sparkles on Debut

Making it six on the day at Taupo, Te Akau wrapped up the programme with a promising win by debutante Cognito (3 g So You Think - Lady Primrose, by More Than Ready) in the $14,000 Maiden 1200 metres.

Built in the mould of his 10-time Group One winning sire So You Think (High Chaparral), Cognito was solid through the trials' stage, has the pedigree and type to get further, but as often the case with these sorts of horses, the better ones can sprint well when fresh.

Ridden by stable apprentice Niranjan Parmar (a3), claiming weight to 53kg, Cognito came from eighth and still six lengths astern nearing the home turn, but once getting to the outside he stormed home to win with his ears pricked.

“I thought he would kick home well, but he flew home and I had a big smile at the winning post,” Parmar said.

In the race sponsored by Ribchester & Belardo @ Haunui Farm, Cognito ran 1200 metres in 1:15.1, last 600m in 36.3, on footing that remained Soft6 throughout the day, and he returned $7.50 & $2.50 on the NZ TAB tote.

Owned by Te Akau Think Ahead Racing Partnership (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM), Cognito was purchased by David Ellis CNZM for $165,000, from the draft of Baramul Stud, at the 2021 Gold Coast National Yearling Sale.

“It was a really good effort to beat what I considered a strong field, so he's obviously a horse with a future,” said trainer Mark Walker.

“He's bred to get over a lot more distance, which is exciting, and we'll see where he goes to from here. He's certainly a nice horse with plenty of scope.”

Speaking on behalf of the owners, Fenton-Ellis said: “We've got just the most wonderful staff in the world and what you see here is the result of all their work, rain, hail, or shine, and their love of the horse. They are the heroes.

“It's also great to see Parmar win another race, he's a promising apprentice and he's a really hard worker.”

It was another fine day at the races for Te Akau Racing, possibly setting a record with six winners at a single meeting, with two for loyal stable supporters Waikato Stud and the remaining four purchased as yearlings by David Ellis and syndicate among clients.

“It's an incredible day for all our owners and staff,” Ellis said. “We've had a particularly wet winter at the stables in Matamata, but the morale through pretty tough times has remained high and Karyn and I couldn't be more proud of the way everyone is working together.

“Nicole Shailer, one of our stable forepersons, is a finalist for Stablehand of the Year at the NZTR Horse of the Year Awards, having been named as the Northern winner to join two others in the final.  The winner will be announced at the awards on 4 September - so it shows the calibre of people we have working for us and also the recognition they receive within the industry.  Ashley Handley, who recently returned to us from Australia, won the overall award last year too.

“The horses are going well and we're looking forward to a successful spring and summer.

“To have horses in seven of the nine carded races and win six of them is simply amazing. Historically, we haven't gone that well until the tracks become consistently good in October, which also coincides with the plough firming up for work at Matamata, but Mark (Walker) is working so hard and he's got all the team, horses and humans, going well.”

When purchasing Cognito as a yearling, Ellis said: “He's a nice athletic horse, with a lovely head and eye and plenty of presence. He's all quality, from head to toe, and buying him early in the sale we felt he was good value at the price.”

Cognito was strapped by Caitlin McPherson.

Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz