Supreme Khan Superb Again

Supreme Khan (3 g Mongolian Khan - Angelica Hall, by Guillotine) made it two from two in the $10,000 Rating 65 1400 metres on 29 October at Ashburton, giving rise to place in the 2000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m).

Having started his career winning the Maiden 3YO 1200 metres on 9 October at Timaru, Supreme Khan made the step up in grade appear a formality with a dominant victory.

Ridden assertively off a wide gate (12) by Danielle Johnson, making it a hat-trick for her on the programme, Supreme Khan steadied outside the leader, travelled easily when taking over on straightening and he quickened clear to win as he liked by two and three-quarter lengths.

In the race sponsored by Thank
You Richie McCrea Painters & Decorators, Supreme Khan ran the 1400 metres
in 1:24.3 on perfect Dead4 footing and as race favourite he returned $3.30
& $1.60 on the NZ TAB tote.

From a gifted and athletic family
with trademark abilities to quicken, Supreme Khan has taken a different and
softer route to a possible 2000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m) start on 7 November at
Riccarton, but the manner of his latest performance suggests he would not look
out of place against best three-year-olds in the country.

“It was a positive ride from the
barrier and we've got to be pleased with that,” said leading trainer Jamie
Richards. “He's certainly a nice horse and I thought he won with authority. It
was a good tough win and he was really good late in the piece, which is always
a positive sign.

“We'll remain open-minded with him
regards the 2000 Guineas, and there is also a 3YO 1400 metres on the middle day
(11 Nov.) of the (Riccarton) carnival that has some appeal.

“It was another nice ride by
Danielle (Johnson) and a good effort by the team in the South Island. We sent
him down there to sharpen up and he looks to be going the right way.”

Owned by Shaw's Property
Holdings, Te Akau Supreme Khan Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM) &
Tale to Tell Syndicate, he was purchased by David Ellis CNZM for $160,000, from
the draft of Windsor Park Stud, at the 2019 Karaka Book 1 Sale. He is
from the first crop of Champion Three-Year-Old, subsequent dual Horse of the
Year, and Champion Stayer Mongolian Khan (Holy Roman Emperor), who recorded
Group 1 wins in the NZ Derby, ATC Derby, and Caulfield Cup, while Te Akau
trained his impressive dual winning dam Angelica Hall (Guillotine).

“I thought that was a pretty
impressive win and what could be a very nice trial for the 2000 Guineas,” Ellis
said. “He's really stepped up from his Maiden win and beautifully ridden by
Danielle (Johnson). She took any bad luck out of the equation and ran the race
out strongly.

“That was Jamie's 43^rd
win for the season and we're not three months into yet, so it's quite
incredible.

“It's a big thrill to buy these horses at the sales, work really hard to syndicate them, and then see the effort that is put in by the team in making them into racehorses and getting these results. It's fantastic.

“It's a superb effort by all the team, they are doing a terrific job with these horses in the South Island and we're going to end up with some nice chances in both the 1000 & 2000 Guineas' races.”

Of the Te Akau horses, Need I Say More (No Nay Never) holds sway in favouritism ($2.80) for the 2000 Guineas, while Supreme Khan shortened to $18.00. Cornflower Blue (Savabeel) is also $18.00 in the 2000 Guineas and $8.00 for the 1000 Guineas. Kahma Lass (Savabeel) is $10.00 in the 1000 Guineas, and Fashion Shoot (Savabeel) is $41.00 in the 1000 Guineas.

Te Akau has won the 2000 Guineas on six occasions, most recently in 2017 with Embellish (Savabeel) with stablemates Age of Fire second and Te Akau Shark nosed into fourth, while Risque (Darci Brahma) in 2015 became their fourth 1000 Guineas winner. Te Akau has won 10 Guineas' in the past 16 years.

King's Rose (Redoute's Choice),
Insouciant (Keeper), Costa Viva (Encosta De Lago), Risque (Darci Brahma) have
been 1000 Guineas winners, and King's Chapel (King of Kings), Darci Brahma
(Danehill), Rock ‘n' Pop (Fastnet Rock), Tell A Tale (Tale of the Cat),
Xtravagant (Pentire), and Embellish (Savabeel), are winners of the 2000
Guineas.

“We have brilliant owners in the horse and Jonny Schick, whose brother Rodney runs Windsor Park, bought a share too,” Ellis said. “I predicted the stock of Mongolian Khan would make nice horses and it's good to have bought and trained one of his early winners. He's had a really good start as a sire and they will continue to get better as they mature.”

His grand-dam, Greta Hall (Kaapstad), won three stakes' races and a half-sister to Epsom Handicap (Gr. 1, 1600m) and Toorak Handicap (Gr. 1, 1600m) winner Golden Sword (Kaapstad), and the dams of Windsor Park stallion Falkirk and Australian Oaks (Gr. 1, 2400m) winner Royal Descent (Danehill).

From third dam, broodmare
sensation Lovenvain (Vain), high-quality racehorses Balmoral Keep (Balmerino),
Falkirk (Tale of the Cat), Golden Sword (Kaapstad), Madam Valeta (Palace
Music), and Mulan Princess (Kaapstad), to ensure one of the best families for
Windsor Park Stud.

Supreme Khan was strapped by Paul Richards.

Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz

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