Statement from Te Akau Racing - our Australian Autumn Campaign

Te Akau Racing can confirm that stable rider Opie Bosson is currently en route back to Australia and is scheduled to land in Sydney this evening.  This is prior to the midnight deadline of the start to a 14 day self-isolation period that the Australian government today announced will apply to all overseas arrivals in the fight against the coronavirus.

Te Akau Principal David Ellis:

“There is no question that the current global environment is a changing landscape literally hour by hour.  We have three of New Zealand's highest rated horses settled in Australia with important Autumn campaigns ahead. Melody Belle, Te Akau Shark and Probabeel have all been Australian Group 1 winners this season.

“Obviously there has been some speculation as to the impact on the campaigns of those Group 1 horses - how we will manage this process with the self-isolation period that comes in to force from midnight tonight for people arriving into both Australia and New Zealand.

“Te Akau has had  a number of protocols and strategies ready to swing in to immediate action should such travel restrictions become reality.  Therefore it is a very streamlined and straightforward process for us to ensure Melody Belle (currently en route to Sydney), Te Akau Shark and Probabeel continue on their Autumn Group paths.

“Paul Richards, one of our senior team, who has been looking after Melody Belle will relocate from Melbourne to Sydney on Tuesday where he will oversee the trio. Paul is one of the very best horsemen you will find.  He rode over 1070 winners during his riding career and made a very good success of his training career that followed.  Together with Ashley Handley, who has been in Sydney for some weeks withTe Akau Shark and Probabeel, our trio is in superb hands.  

“Opie Bosson will arrive in Sydney tonight before the self-isolation curfew kicks in - and with targets such as the Group 1 George Ryder Stakes, Group 1 Vinery, Group 1 Doncaster, Group 1 Oaks and Group 1 Queen Elizabeth all very much on the radar, our trainer Jamie Richards and I are delighted that Opie will be based in Sydney for the Autumn Carnival,” Ellis said.

Te Akau trainer Jamie Richards returned to New Zealand today and will remain domiciled here for the Sydney Autumn Carnival.  Jamie is having a stellar season - he leads the New Zealand Trainers' Premiership for wins (96 in NZ, a lead of 24, plus 3 wins in Australia, all Groups 1's), prize money ($3.7 million in NZ and A$2.08 million in Australia) and Group/Listed wins (19 - eleven at Group 1 level). His NZ strike rate of 4.88 is exceptional and last week he shot up to Number 6 in the world TRC Global Trainer rankings.

“Have no fear our team will continue to make its presence felt in Sydney. We will be proudly flying the Kiwi flag! Modern technology - combined with our total confidence in the skill and expertise of Te Akau's Sydney team on the ground - means for Te Akau it is very much - ‘tangerine business as usual',” Ellis concluded.

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