Tauranga Treble - Pure Imagination Powers Home
Date: 14 Jan 2023
Making it back-to-back wins on the programme, Pure Imagination (4 g Darci Brahma - Granadilla, by Encosta de Lago) gave rise to trainer Mark Walker recording the fastest ever century of winners by a trainer in a season on 13 January at Tauranga.
Te Akau had also established the previous fastest 100 wins in a season when Jamie Richards achieved the feat on 28 January 2021, bettering the previous record by nearly three months, during a record-breaking 160 wins for the season, and Walker has followed suit.
Following a dominant victory by Millefiori (Iffraaj) in the previous race, Pure Imagination was equally as impressive in the $30,000 Rating 65 1200 metres.
Beautifully poised in his preliminary, and given a very cool ride by Craig Zackey, Pure Imagination tracked his rivals on the bridle at the rear, five lengths 600m, before producing an undeniable finish to the inside of runners.
It was soft over the concluding stages, suggesting he relished give in the ground, while stable-mate Time Flies (Time Test) again raced well for third.
“It was good to get another win with him today,†Walker said. “He promised quite a bit early on and he's had a few heart fibrillations and things go wrong.
“He's a lot happier now and it was a deserved win, off a lovely ride by Zackey.â€
In the race sponsored by Ray White Greerton, Pure Imagination ran 1200 metres in 1:13.5 on footing upgraded to Heavy9 and paid handsomely ($8.60 & $3.80) on the NZ TAB tote.
Owned by the Te Akau Imagine That Racing Partnership (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM), purchased by David Ellis CNZM at the 2020 Karaka Ready to Run Sale, from draft of Lilywhites Lodge, Pure Imagination is by Champion five-time Group One winning stallion Darci Brahma (Danehill), whom Ellis also purchased, while his dam Granadilla, by Champion Broodmare Sire Encosta de Lago (Fairy King), is a half-sister to former stable-mate and Eulogy Stakes (Gr. 3, 1600m) winner Lilikoi (Charm Spirit).
Carrying a cross in his sire-lines of immortal stallion Northern Dancer, through Danehill, the sire of Darci Brahma, and Champion Broodmare Sire Encosta de Lago, Pure Imagination looked the spitting image of his sire when getting into his work at the Breeze-ups, prior to selling.
“I remember him standing out as one of the nicest Darci Brahma's in the sale and we knew the family well,†Ellis said
“It was a beautiful mating, over an Encosta de Lago mare. He's a Champion Broodmare Sire and we've had a lot of luck both with horses by him, like Princess Coup and Costa Viva, and as a broodmare sire with colts like Sword of State (Snitzel).
“What a great achievement by Mark (Walker) to reach 100 wins in such quick time this season and it's hugely rewarding for everyone involved: the team, our owners, and for Karyn and me too.
“Everyone that works for Te Akau gives 110% and without that type of commitment you just can't get these sorts of results.
“He's included 15 stakes' winners within the century and it looks as though there are some nice chances of increasing the black type winners on Saturday (14 January) at Trentham.â€
Pure Imagination was strapped by Rasheed Alam.
Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz
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