Splurge Makes a Group 2 Splash

Given a gun ride by Michael McNab, Splurge (5 g Savabeel - Splashing Out, by O'Reilly) was too good for his rivals in the weight-for-age $100,000 Manawatu Challenge Stakes (Gr. 2, 1400m) on 23 December at Awapuni.

Recording his eighth win from 18 starts for the Te Akau 2014 Breeding Syndicate, Splurge became one of two winners at the meeting (from two runners) for trainers Stephen Autridge & Jamie Richards, after two-year-old Sword of Osman (Savabeel) had won impressively on debut.

Splurge also became the ninth stakes' winner this season for the trainers, four more than any other stable.

Chasing a genuine speed in fourth, McNab always appeared to have Splurge in the right position and quickening to lead at the 200m he extended his advantage to win very well.

Run in slick time, 1:22.1 for the 1400 metres, Splurge rightfully dominated betting to return $2.10 & $1.40 on the NZ TAB tote.

McNab increased his tally to five wins, of late, at Awapuni having bagged three a week earlier, including Nucleonic (Burgundy) for the boss (David Ellis).

“It's a privilege to be in the tangerine (colours),” McNab said. “I was surprised that they (leaders) were so positive early and kept that same clip, but I got a drag everywhere I wanted to go and when I asked him to let rip, he let rip, and was good to the line.”

Of the ride, Ellis said: “It was a really good ride by a young guy that's got his life together and he's riding exceptionally well. He rode Splurge beautifully, summed up the pace, and both his winning rides today were top drawer.”

Steadily improving his form through this campaign, Splurge had looked the winner before being bombed on the line in the Eagle Technology Stakes (Gr. 3, 1600m) on 2 December at Ellerslie, and now looks back to his best.

A beautiful horse, and magnificent example of the thoroughbred, Splurge was purchased as a yearling by David Ellis for the 2014 Te Akau Breeding Syndicate, from the draft of Waikato Stud, at the New Zealand Bloodstock Premier Sale.  The same syndicate also raced dual Group 1 winner and Champion 3YO Xtravagant who now stands at stud in Australia at Newhaven Park.

“He's another top horse that I bought from Waikato Stud, and second win we had on the day with progeny of Savabeel, both of whom I bought as yearlings at the Karaka (NZB) Premier Sale.

The leading buyer at the New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sales Series for the past 13 years, Ellis has put together a team of horses that continues to perform at the highest level in New Zealand, Australia, and internationally, matched by personnel that deserve the same acclaim.

“That was the 21st black type win this calendar year with horses I've bought from the sales, and the 20th that Steve and Jamie have trained,” Ellis said.

“I imagine it to be a record - including six Group One wins and 14 Group and Listed wins. We've had Group wins here (NZ), in Sydney and Brisbane, and the 21st is Torcedor, winner of the Group Three Vintage Crop Stakes (2800m) in Ireland, trained by Jessica Harrington, and I bought him at the Deauville sale in France.

“So it's been a remarkable period of time for Te Akau Racing, and all our owners, and in addition Mark (Walker) has won another training premiership for us this year in Singapore.”

Ellis said that Splurge is not the easiest horse to train and is ridden most mornings in track work by Kris Shalier.

“Kris is one of our stable managers and does an unbelievably good job,” Ellis said. “He's a gifted horseman, as good as there is and an asset to any stable in the world. Not only is he very capable, but also very reliable, which is a component the best people always have, and we're incredibly proud to have him in the team."

With Christmas Day beckoning, Ellis said that he was cooking Christmas dinner for 10 and would then be turning his attentions to a busy time of racing and inspecting yearlings ahead of the sales that commence on 28 January at Karaka.

“The stable is on fire and we've got some lovely horses to race for our owners over Christmas and into the New Year,” he said.

“We're incredibly focussed towards the sales, where we are looking to buy a lot of yearlings. We've had more interest than ever from people keen to be involved, which is great for New Zealand racing, and Te Akau has all the right staff to deal with the demands.

“As I mentioned, 20 stakes' wins this year for Steve and Jamie is phenomenal, and it's also an unbelievable start to the training career for Jamie. He's been involved helping Mark (Walker) and I select all of these horses."

“Karyn (Fenton-Ellis) and I are so indebted to all of the people around us who work so hard with the horses, and here on the farm, and it's a great team effort that enables these results.”

Splurge was strapped by Meg Lambert.

Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz