Summer Monsoon Storms Home

Although a little while between drinks, Summer Monsoon  (5 g Stratum - Princess Narine, by Red Ransom) returned to winning form stylishly on 3 November at Motukarara.

Ridden patiently in the $10,000 Mick & Melba Murfitt Memorial Rating 65 1400 metres, after racing too keenly near the pace on 5 October at Riccarton, Summer Monsoon switched off in 10^thfor rider Michael McNab and after standing the leader eight lengths at the 600m he circled widest with a well-timed finishing burst.

On footing conducive to running good times, Summer Monsoon ran the 1400 metres in a polished 1:22.8 and returned nice each way odd ($5.60 & $2.00) on the NZ TAB tote.

“He drew an awkward alley (11) and the only option was to go back really, and just try and get over them late which he did,” said stable foreman Paul Richards.

“He's a decent galloper, but he's been dogged by wet tracks and a bit of bad luck. He got the job done today, which was super. 

“We'll find a suitable race for him during Cup Week. See how he gets through today and map out something from there.”

Trainer Jamie Richards reiterated some of the comments by his father. “He's a fair horse when he's right. When you ride him too close to the speed he doesn't finish off, but it worked out perfectly there today. He drew out a bit, went back, got the outside and finished off well.

“He's a horse that needs everything to go his way and when it falls into place he's got the ability to put them away, so I was pleased to see it unfold as it did.”

Owned by the Te Akau 2016 Sydney No. 1 Breeding Syndicate, and good enough to finish second in the Matamata Slipper (Listed, 1200m) as two-year-old, Summer Monsoon was purchased by David Ellis at the Sydney Easter Yearling Sale. 

“It was fantastic to see him win again,” Ellis said. “Our horses in Matamata, Riccarton, and Melbourne, are all racing really well. It hasn't been easy for our team in the South Island because of the wet spring down there but they're doing a great job. 

“It's one of the first good tracks we've had, whereas normally we get good tracks down there in September. But, I guess what has been an inconvenience for us has been a blessing for the farmers. 

“Another ten out of ten ride by Michael (McNab), who did the same when winning the last race on Prise De Fer yesterday at Pukekohe. It was awkward from the draw, but he found a lovely position with cover and the horse travelled really well. It was beautiful to watch and it added to a pretty good weekend for Te Akau Racing.”

Winning the Mick and Melba Murfitt Memorial was also fitting as Te Akau has had previous success with horses related to their breed at Riccarton Stud, including Exabelle (Exceed and Excel) and Total Excess (Delago Deluxe). 

South Island racing stalwarts, they stood notable stallion Palatable (Tom Rolfe), and in their pink and black chequered colours raced some top horses. Among them: Eye Full (Palatable), Vision (Entrepreneur), and Gaze (Cape Cross).

Summer Monsoon was strapped by Diego Montes de Oca.

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