Tauranga Double - Aequus Absolute

Building nicely, well related Aequus (4 m Iffraaj – Equanimity, by More Than Ready) won the $40,000 Rating 65 1200 metres on 12 January at Tauranga.

After running the fastest last 600m (34.6) for second in the Rating 65 1215 metres on 28 December at Rotorua, Aequus rated top three and received a lovely trip from barrier four under jockey Opie Bosson.

A touch keen to dwell in the early stages, Aequus was pushed up by Bosson to secure a spot fourth on the inner, received a timely gap on straightening and kept responding to get the job done.

A Maiden winner over 1300 metres in her previous campaign, Aequus has now won two of her eight starts for owner/breeder Sir Peter Vela KNZM (Pencarrow Stud).

On footing upgraded to Good4, in the race sponsored by Ray White Maunganui, Aequus ran 1200 metres in 1:11.4 and paid $4.30 & $1.50 on the NZ TAB tote.

“She’d been building up to that win for awhile and in the end it was a really good win,” said co-trainer Mark Walker.

“It was a top ride of Opie’s and it’s always a thrill to get a win in the famous blue and white colours for Sir Peter. 

“We’re going to give her a week out on the grass at Pencarrow now, and let her get over the run. 

“Obviously, she’ll be up in grade now, but if we place her right, ideally with a bit of cut in the tracks, we do think she can train on to win more races.”

It was another fitting victory because not only did Te Akau train the dam, Equanimity (More Than Ready), who impressed winning her first two starts as a three-year-old, but also her grand-dam and 2008 NZ Bloodstock Filly of the Year Insouciant (Keeper), trained by Mark Walker.

Equanimity was the first foal out of Insouciant and each of her three progeny to race has won, while stable-mate Tranquila (Iffraaj), in training for Cambridge Stud after being purchased as a yearling by David Ellis CNZM at Karaka, has performed well in her two starts and a win seems near. 

Te Akau and Pencarrow Stud has had a close association over the years, headed by the purchasing and training of five time Group One winning stallion Darci Brahma (Danehill), five time stakes winning stallion Burgundy (Redoutes Choice), as well as preparing Insouciant to win the 1000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600), Eulogy Stakes (Gr. 3, 1600m) and finish second in the Sir Tristram Fillies Classic (Gr. 2, 2000m) to secure her Filly of the Year title. 

Pencarrow racing manager Garry Cossey said: “I thought she was nicely placed today and good to win a $40,000 premier day stake with her.

“Everything panned out well, Opie rode, got her off the trail at the right time and it was meritorious finish.

“We thought she might have won last time at Rotorua, but the winner just slipped away, Merchant Queen (Merchant Navy), who’s won both starts and may be a pretty good filly. 

“Opie thought that after that she was very close to a win, so he’s right in his judgement there.

“The Te Akau team at home are doing a really good job with her and we’ll work it out together where she might be best placed from here on.

“She’s certainly improved between campaigns, that’s for sure, and it great for Sir Peter to get another winner as he leads up to the sales at Karaka. 

“It’s a very good family that Aequus is from and any further successes just enhance her as a breeding prospect.

“The Te Akau Racing operation is flying; Dave (Ellis) bought accordingly on the Gold Coast, ahead of their massive support at Karaka, and success breeds success.”

Aequus was strapped by Rylee Sheehan. 

Photo credit - www.racimeages.co.nz