Sold - to Te Akau

Te Akau's David Ellis ventured in to new territory on Tuesday night securing promising stayer Augustus from the Inglis Digital on-line sale in Australia.

In an exciting new innovation for Te Akau owners, Ellis secured the Snitzel gelding for A$210,000 - and shares in the 3YO were snapped up within hours.  The promising galloper's price setting a new record for the sale company on line.

"He was sold within hours, shares didn't even last 12 hours - Karyn had so many emails and calls from owners, new and existing who wanted to be involved in this horse.  The interest was just overwhelming," said David Ellis.

"He was purchased with the 2019 Group 1 Singapore Derby in mind.  This is a race for four year olds there and Augustus is destined for our stable in Singapore where Mark Walker will guide his future career."

The other major attraction for Augustus' new Te Akau owners was the fact that they will have a ready-made Group 1 contender.  Currently trained by Chris Waller in Sydney, Augustus lies 15 in the order of entry for next Saturday's A$600,000 Queensland Derby over 2200m - a race that he is on target to contest.

"Chris Waller has told me that the horse is right on target for the Derby and he will head to Brisbane on Wednesday where he will be based in their Queensland stable managed by Paul Shailer.

"Brenton Avdulla has been engaged for the ride - he is on fire leading the Sydney Jockeys' Premiership with 79 wins this season, 13 ahead of Blake Shinn. He has forged a very good relationship with the Waller stable and currently sits on 974 career wins, with his mounts winning A$58 million in prize money.

"It's a very exciting innovation for Te Akau - and that's a big focus for us - continuing to provide our owners with new and exciting options.  It certainly makes racing from our stable interesting and opportunity-filled. While this horse was sourced to race from our Singapore stable, it is thrilling for his new connections that he will compete in a Group 1 at his very first start for them.

"Mark (Walker) is very excited about the prospects of this horse and we may even consider leaving him in Melbourne to contest some Spring races before he re-locates to Singapore."

Augustus will wear the Te Akau tangerine colours in Brisbane next Saturday - he has raced 11 times for three wins and has already won over A$100,000 in prize money.