Talented Trio to Uphold Te Akau 2000 Guineas' Record

The Informant reports:

With three strong contenders carrying their tangerine and blue colours in Saturday's Gr. 1 Al Basti Equiworld New Zealand 2000 Guineas at Riccarton, Te Akau Racing is ideally placed to add to its unparalleled record in the first classic of the New Zealand season.

No owner in the 45-year history of the race can match Te Akau's tally of five New Zealand 2000 Guineas victories.

The first win was delivered by King's Chapel in 2003, followed by Darci Brahma in 2005, Tell A Tale (owned by Te Akau's associate Fortuna Syndicate) in 2008 and Rock 'N' Pop in 2011. The fifth and most recent win came with Xtravagant, who won by eight lengths and in race-record time in 2015.

“What Xtravagant did for us two years ago was amazing, and we think we're going into it with three live chances this year.”

“It's obviously a very special race for Te Akau,” said Jamie Richards, who trains for Te Akau in partnership with Stephen Autridge.

“We've enjoyed great success in the race over the years. What Xtravagant did for us two years ago was amazing, and we think we're going into it with three live chances this year.”

The favourite is the Savabeel colt Embellish, who Te Akau principal David Ellis bought for $775,000 as a yearling at Karaka. That purchase was made with a potential stud career in mind, and Embellish can take a big step in that direction with a 2000 Guineas win on Saturday.

A full-brother to the Group One winner Diademe, Embellish finished second in his only start as a two-year-old. He resumed with an impressive win from off the pace at Ruakaka on October 4, beating the subsequent Listed winner Ever Loyal, and he was every bit as convincing when took on and beat older opposition at Trentham two weeks ago. Te Akau's number-one rider Opie Bosson, who could have gone to Melbourne to ride Gingernuts in the Emirates Stakes at Flemington, will continue his association with Embellish on Saturday.

“He's come back a much stronger horse this time in and his two wins have been impressive,” Richards said. “He travelled down to Christchurch really well and we're very pleased with the horse.

“The roomy Riccarton track and the 1600 metres should suit him. He's been switching off very well in his races this time in. Opie's stayed in New Zealand to ride him and we're expecting him to run a great race.”

Te Akau Shark goes into the race with a perfect two-from-two record. He scored a powerful come-from-behind win on debut at Te Rapa in September, beating the subsequent Sarten Memorial winner Sumstreetsumwhere.

The chestnut son of Rip Van Winkle had an energy-sapping wide run at Matamata three weeks later, but still changed gears in the straight and scored by two and a half lengths.

“You can't do better than two out of two, and both of his performances have been very good,” Richards said. “It's a big ask to go into a race like this at just his third career start, but we think he's up to it. We've made a small gear change and added a nose band.

“Hopefully there'll be a good tempo and he'll be able to switch off in behind them and then find the line strongly.”

Te Akau Shark will be ridden by Michael McNab.

Fastnet Rock colt Age Of Fire has been based in the South Island throughout the spring. He finished second on debut in early September, then scored his first win at the expense of the stakes performer Hot Fuss. In his only other appearance he was a solid third behind Prom Queen and Sensei in the Gr. 3 Barneswood Farm Stakes at Ashburton.

“We think Age Of Fire is a real smoky in the race,” Richards said. “He ran a good race behind Prom Queen last time, and we think he's certainly looking for a mile now. He's improving rapidly, and even though the tote says he's our third pick, we're expecting him to run a very good race.”

The mount on Age Of Fire will be taken by the former Te Akau rider Matt Cameron, who rode Xtravagant to victory two years ago.