Sixth Welcome Stakes for Te Akau

A multitude of race fans witnessed a scintillating performance by high-quality colt Al Hasa (2 c Exceed and Excel - Oasis Rose, by Oasis Dream) on New Zealand Cup Day at Riccarton.

A colt described as “one of the top colts of the sale” by Cambridge Stud owner Sir Patrick Hogan, when purchased by Te Akau principal David Ellis for $625,000 at the 2017 New Zealand Bloodstock Premier Yearling Sale, Al Hasa was seen to destroy his rivals in the $50,000 Barneswood Farm Welcome Stakes (Listed, 1000m).

Straight to the front from barrier two for rider Opie Bosson, who accompanied stable-mate Embellish (Savabeel) to win the 2000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m) on the same course a week earlier, Al Hasa put the race to bed in a few strides at the 300 metres and was low flying before being allowed to ease over the concluding stages.

“He was nice and relaxed,” Bosson said. “Turning for home he pricked his ears and had a look around, but I liked the way he let down when I gave him a backhander and he got down low and just took off.

“His response when I asked him was immediate. He stretched out beautifully and coasted home.”

Scoring by six lengths, Al Hasa justified his $1.40 win price without a twinge of anxiety. He ran the 1000 metres in 57.40 and last 600m in 33.6.

“He's a lovely colt and that win today was one of the biggest thrills I've had in my racing career,” Ellis said.

“Steve (Autridge) and Jamie (Richards) made the decision to scratch the horse from racing last Saturday at Te Rapa, in order to contest this race instead, and these owners who invested in four colts this year for our breeding syndicate, put up a lot of money, I'm just so thrilled for those wonderful people.

“To see a colt that we bought, to try and turn into a stallion, win a stake's race by six lengths at just his second start is an unbelievable achievement and he beat a few horses that came into the race with reputations.

“I'm so proud of the team: Dan Miller, Tegan (Newman) and Meg (Lambert), looking after the horses in the South Island, and it's a fantastic carnival that Te Akau has had. It's exciting in words you can't describe.

“The staff at Matamata that looked after this horse until he came south on Wednesday have done a great job. He came from the barn that Kris Shailer is in charge of and all those horses are racing so well.

“Opie (Bosson) gave him every chance and the way he won he's going to be a genuine prospect for the Karaka Million, that's for sure. He ran a very good second on debut, took a step up today and he's a beautiful colt that should just keep improving.”

Sentiments echoed by Sir Patrick Hogan at the time of purchase: “He oozes quality and he's the type of colt I'd describe as far as racing potential goes: would make a fabulous two-year-old, with enough scope and size, in my judgement to be a Guineas' horse at three,” he said.

“Price wise, he proved that and he was the sort of colt that if he was in Sydney he would have made a lot more than he did, because he is a great type, a powerfully built horse, plenty of muscle and very, very strongly built.

“And, of course, with his pedigree, if he lives up to his potential - Group One winning two-year-old, Group One winning three-year-old - which I believe he can be, then he has the pedigree to make a fabulous stallion.

“I think if he accomplishes all of that, he could be one of the best horses David (Ellis) has ever had go to stud. And, he's already had some pretty good ones: Darci Brahma, Burgundy, Rock ‘N' Pop, Xtravagant. He's had some good ones."

Al Hasa provided Te Akau with their sixth win the Welcome Stakes, having won two years ago with Sassy ‘N' Smart (Smart Missile) and previously with Bespoke (Pins), Encosta Diablo (Encosta De Lago), Xbert (Bertolini) and Maroofity (Maroof).

Co-trainer Jamie Richards suggested Al Hasa would have a break at Te Akau Stud before being set for the $1m Karaka Million (Listed, 1200m) on Saturday 27 January at Ellerslie.

Owned by the Te Akau 2017 Breeding Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM), Al Hasa is the first foal of the immensely talented filly Oasis Rose (Oasis Dream), a winner on debut over 1100 metres and runner-up in the 2000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m). He boasts an outstanding pedigree and carries a nomination for the $3.5m Golden Slipper (Gr. 1, 1200m) in March next year at Rosehill Racecourse in Sydney.

Al Hasa was strapped by Daniel Miller.

Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz