Tauranga Double - Don't Forget About Last Night!

Te Akau Girls Who Love to Party 2023 Racing Partnership (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM) had a great start to their union when About Last Night (2 f Capitalist – Kissmelikearocksta, by Fastnet Rock) won the $25,000 Gartshore Construction Maiden 2YO 950 metres on Saturday at Tauranga.

Bet into hot favouritism after quickening to lead and running clear for an easy trial win on 15 August at Avondale, About Last Night did everything right in her debut appearance.

Confidently ridden by Warren Kennedy, she posted outside the leader, established a handy advantage mid-straight and drew out to win by two and three-quarter lengths. 

“She did it easily and it was nothing more than a track gallop,” said Kennedy, on dismounting.

Under overcast skies, About Last Night ran 950 metres in 57.7, last 600m in 33.8, on Soft5 footing, and paid $1.30 to win. 

About Last Night was purchased by David Ellis CNZM for $75,000 at the Karaka 2023 Book 1 Sale, from the draft of Westbury Stud, and registered for both the Karaka Million and Pearl Series.

“She trialled up well and she’s very professional,” said co-trainer Mark Walker.

“With that debut win under her belt, she can have a little holiday now and our main focus will be the Karaka Million in January. She’s got a great turn of foot.”

By Golden Slipper (Gr. 1, 1200m) winner Capitalist (Written Tycoon), Champion Two-Year-Old in Australia, About Last Night is from a mare by Champion Sire Fastnet Rock (Danehill).

Accepting on behalf of the owners, Fenton-Ellis said: “Thanks to the Gartshore family for their sponsorship of this race. 

“Te Akau has a great association with the Gartshore’s, especially with their Group One winner Savy Yong Blonk (Savabeel).

“We have a great group of ladies involved in the filly, and we had a catch up and look around the stable yesterday at Matamata with a few bubbles and fun.

“We all wanted to be here and she couldn’t have made a better start to her racing career.

“Congratulations to Mark (Walker) and Sam (Bergerson) for preparing her so well, and we have plenty to look forward to.”

Te Akau principal David Ellis was thrilled for the ownership group and pointed out some similarities with early two-year-old winners for the stable.

“Karyn put a syndicate of together of ladies and I’m thrilled this filly has won first-up for them,
 he said.

“Having Fastnet Rock and Encosta de Lago as her first two dam sires is an enormous advantage in any pedigree.

“She’s a filly with plenty of natural substance and we regarded her as a really good value purchase.

“Bellatrix Star won the first two-year-old race this season for us at Wanganui, and now having a break, and this filly has won early in the season too, which just allows us to buy some time.

“Some of our other Karaka Million winners: Cool Aza Beel, Avantage, and Melody Belle won early in their two-year-old seasons, with the latter two having their best seasons as five and six-year-olds.

“It’s important in our training methods that we don’t put any undue pressure on our two-year-olds to perform and it’s those that put their hands up with natural precocity who get a chance to race early on.”

About Last Night carries a Danehill cross on the dam-side of Capitalist and as the sire of Fastnet Rock.

About Last Night was strapped by Kohen Collett. 

Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz