Splurge Makes a Splash

Splurge (4 g Savabeel - Splashing Out, by O'Reilly) took a step closer to stakes racing with a strong performance to win the $27,500 Ophthalmic Instrument Company Rating 85 1200 metres on Saturday at Ellerslie.

A stunning individual owned by the 2014 Te Akau Breeding Syndicate, Splurge backed up a $50,000 race win on Boxing Day at Ellerslie, and may have earned a start in the $100,000 Darley Plate (Gr. 3, 1200m) on Derby Day (March 4) at Ellerslie.

“He could go straight to the Darley Plate,” said Jamie Richards, co-trainer with Stephen Autridge, of the five-time winner from only nine starts. “But we'll get him home and have a talk to Dave (Ellis) and Steve and see what we want to do.

“He's another lovely horse that Dave bought at Karaka, and we've got some great owners here to enjoy it, and plenty of lovely yearlings back at the farm as well."

Ridden for the first time by left-handed whip rider Danielle Johnson, Splurge was poised in fourth throughout and once balanced in the straight he set out after the leader before getting the better inside the final 100m.

On a track rated Slow8, which held up remarkably well following up to 90mls of rain during the week, Splurge ran the 1200 metres in 1:11.8, last 600m in 34.1, and paid $2.60 & $1.70 on the tote.

Te Akau also saddled third placed Latin Rose (Mastercraftsman), who produced a creditable performance to finish a neck and one and three-quarter lengths behind Splurge.

“She (Latin Rose) is going really well,” Richards said. “We were a little bit disappointed with her run last start, but the key is probably to ride her back in the field and let her run home."

Splurge is from one of Waikato Stud's most potent and current families which includes quadruple Group One winner and resident stallion Sacred Falls (O'Reilly), who won the 2000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m), AJC Doncaster (Gr. 1, 1600m) twice, and George Main Stakes (Gr. 1, 1600m).

“This team of owners, and friends, really, that race Splurge with me has had a terrific ride and this syndicate has won sixteen races,” Ellis said, of the group that also raced Champion Three-Year-Old Xtravagant (Pentire).

“They have reinvested heavily in some very nice yearlings and they are wonderful people to train for, and Karyn and I love having them a part of it all.”

At his previous start, in the Rating 85 1200 metres on 28 January at Trentham, not everything went the way of Splurge, after being awkward to begin but the flashing light of the performance was running his final 600m in a rather phenomenal 32.7.

“He continues to step up every time he comes to the races,” Richards said.

“I thought he was a little bit stiff at Wellington last time and today he looked like he was in a bit of trouble at the 600m, a bit flat behind Hollywood Lass (second), but he closed really strongly and the sign of a good horse.

“It was good to see him get on the right leg and run nice and straight, as he was a little bit wayward on Opie (Bosson) when he won here two starts back, but he's only lightly raced and he's only going to continue to improve.”

Splurge was strapped by Wiremu Pinn.
Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz