TDN reports - Te Akau Chasing Group 1 Trio

TDN's (Thoroughbred Daily News) Paul Vettise reports ...

Te Akau chasing trio of Group 1 titles

The Te Akau Group 1 troops will be deployed far and wide this weekend with serious prospects in action on the home and away fronts and also a feature cups' hope to make his second Australian appearance for the Matamata stable.

Head trainer Jamie Richards is in the enviable position of having heavily favoured runners in major events at Randwick, a mare closing in on New Zealand racing history on the final day of the Hawke's Bay carnival and an imported 5-year-old seeking higher staying honours.

“I'll be in Sydney, David (Ellis) will be at Hawke's Bay and my sister Libby will be at Flemington,” Richards said. “It's going to be an exciting day and we're all looking forward to it.”

Te Akau Shark (NZ) (Rip Van Winkle {Ire}) is the co-favourite for the G1 TAB Epsom H. at Randwick where Probabeel (NZ) (Savabeel) will also be well-fancied in the G1 Flight S.

Melody Belle (NZ) (Commands) will attempt to become the first horse to make a clean sweep of the Hawke's Bay Triple Crown series when she runs in the G1 Livamol Classic while Te Akau Caliburn (Ire) (Camelot {GB}} will step out in the G3 The Bart Cummings.

“We're really happy with Te Akau Shark. He's in good order and he came out of his last run really well,” Richards said.

“We're really happy with Te Akau Shark. He's in good order and he came out of his last run really well.” - Jamie Richards.

Te Akau Shark is most effective with his races well-spaced and has done a treat since he finished runner-up to Dreamforce (Fastnet Rock) in the G2 Tramway S. on September 7 and Saturday's performance will decide whether he heads to the G1 Cox Plate.

“We're going to get through the weekend first and then work out what we do,” Richards said.

Flight S. hope Probabeel was narrowly pipped by Funstar (Adelaide {Ire}) in the G2 Tea Rose St. and she has progressed well with Richards confident a step up in distance on Saturday is ideal.

“She's had a good preparation and certainly looking like a mile is going to suit her. She's peaking at the right time and we're looking forward to the race with her as well,” he said.

The remainder of Melody Belle's spring will also be determined after Saturday, having bagged the G1 Tarzino Trophy and the G1 Windsor Park Plate at her last two starts. 

Agonisingly close

Starcraft (NZ) (Soviet Star {USA}) has come closest to the clean sweep after he won the first two legs in 2004 before he finished a close second in the Livamol (then the Kelt Capital Classic) behind Balmuse (NZ) (Lord Ballina).

A former Te Akau-trained mare in Princess Coup (Encosta de Lago) is among the band to have won two races in the series, claiming the final two legs in 2008 for then head trained Mark Walker.

“Melody Belle looks great in the coat and really starting to come on,” Richards said. “I always remember Mark saying to me that Princess Coup only came right in the coat for the last day at Hastings and certainly Melody Belle will be going down in very good order.

“After Saturday we will think about what we do with her. We've narrowed it down to a couple of options, the Cox Plate or the Empire Rose S. so we'll have a good chat about that before we decide.”

“We've narrowed it down to a couple of options, the Cox Plate or the Empire Rose S. so we'll have a good chat about that before we decide.” - Jamie Richards.

A winner up to 2400 metres in England, stable newcomer Te Akau Caliburn pleased Richards with his debut for the stable when fifth over 2500 metres at Flemington.

“I thought his first-up run had a lot of merit. He went back from a sticky barrier and we were dictated to by the pace of the race, which was fair to moderate,” he said.

“The leaders kicked off the corner and he kept up a good gallop and wasn't beaten far.”

Te Akau Caliburn represents Ellis' first foray into the European tried horse market with the private purchase of the 4-year-old. 

He was bought by Ellis and his wife Karyn through bloodstock agent Paul Moroney and the couple are racing him with company clients. 

“Whether we get to the Caulfield Cup or the Melbourne Cup this year who knows, but I'm pretty confident the following year we can run in all the big cups,” Ellis said.

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