Te Akau Avondale Trials' Report

Te Akau trialled horses at Avondale on Tuesday 13 August -

Weather: showery, track: Heavy11, rail: out 12 metres

Heat 1 Open 1200 metres (2 ¼ lengths, neck 1:17.4)

Al Haram  (6 g Sea the Stars - En Public) - Joe Kamaruddin; steadied to last off the outside gate, seven lengths 600m, and quickened home closing the margin for fifth. 

A winner over 2100 metres in France, purchased by David Ellis for $42,500 through an Inglis online sale and owned by the Te Akau Star Struck Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM), he has both flat and jumps ability.

Heat 2 Open 1000 metres (¾ lengths, 1 ¼ lengths 1:05.9)

Miss Scandinavia  (5 m Smart Missile - Miss Helsinki) - Michael McNab; tardily away and urged to work forward handily on the inner, she quickened home nearest the rail to finish third. 

Richly bred, she was purchased by David Ellis from the draft of Arrowfield Stud at the 2016 Sydney Easter Yearling Sale. Her consistency has been rewarded with two wins and five seconds from 12 starts for the Te Akau 2016 Scandinavia Syndicate.

Avantage  (4 m Fastnet Rock - Asavant) - Opie Bosson; began smartly, second outer, and kept up a strong gallop without urging for fourth. 

Crowned Champion Two-Year-Old after winning five of her six starts, including the $1m Karaka Million (Restricted Listed, 1200m) and Sires' Produce Stakes (Gr. 1, 1400m). Last season, she won the Gold Trail Stakes (Gr. 3, 1200m) and spelled after a successful Australian campaign which saw her win the Birthday Card Stakes (Gr. 3, 1200m) at Rosehill, and finish third in the $1m Arrowfield 3YO Sprint (Gr. 2, 1200m) at Randwick. 

Bought by Te Akau principal David Ellis for $210,000 at the 2017 New Zealand Bloodstock Premier Yearling, from the Oaks Stud draft, Avantage has recorded seven wins from nine starts and $996,455 in prize money for the Te Akau Avantage Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM).

In A Twinkling  (4 g Fastnet Rock - Moment in Time) - Troy Harris; was handily placed, but wide in the open, and a staying type on ground too heavy for him he was outsprinted inside the 200m, before rolling past after the line.

Purchased by David Ellis for the Te Akau Fastnet Moment Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis), he had a very good three-year-old season earning over $300,000. A winner that also finished second in the Zacinto Stakes (Listed, 1600m), Avondale Guineas (Gr. 2, 2100m), and fourth in the 2000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m), he was beaten a nostril in the NZ Derby (Gr. 1, 2400m) before a fifth in both the Tulloch Stakes (Gr. 2, 2000m) at Rosehill, and ATC Derby (Gr. 1, 2400m) at Randwick.

Heat 3 Open 1000 metres (head, head 1:05.7)

Equinox (3 c Exceed and Excel - Our Ella Belle) - Troy Harris; trailed after being a touch awkwardly away from barrier one, he quickened through stylishly at the 200m and finished in a three-way photo for first.

A royally bred colt, owned by the Owned by the Te Akau 2018 Colt Breeding Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM), he was purchased as a yearling by Te Akau principal David Ellis for $750,000, from the draft of Pencarrow Stud, at the 2018 Karaka Book 1 Sale. The winner of two from four, he shapes as an exciting three-year-old.

Meteoric Lass (5 m Stratum - Benatar) - Michael McNab; began well, travelled up second outer and never missed a beat while remaining held in a three-way photo for first.

The winner of two from five, she spelled in December after finishing second in a smart Rating 72 1200-metre field at Ellerslie. Purchased by Te Akau principal David Ellis for $50,000 at the 2016 Gold Coast Yearling Sale, from the draft of Kitchwin Hills, owned by the Fortuna No. 60 Meteoric Lass Syndicate (Mgr: John Galvin). 

Probabeel (3 f Savabeel - Far Fetched) - Opie Bosson; tracked along second last at the 800m, angled clear widest rounding the home turn and looked good late in the piece closing in on heels for fifth. 

Owned by Brendan Lindsay MNZM & Jo Lindsay at Cambridge Stud, she was purchased by David Ellis for $380,000, from the draft of Waikato Stud, at the 2018 Karaka Book 1 Sale. In line for the Champion Two-Year-Old title, she became the third leg in a hat-trick of Karaka Million (Restricted Listed, 1200m) winners for Te Akau, following Melody Belle (Commands) and Avantage (Fastnet Rock), winning three of her six starts and over $600,000 in prize money. 

Heat 4 Open 1000 metres (head, 2 ½ lengths 1:06.1)

Te Akau Dragon(4 g Power - Cool Diamond) - Troy Harris; cruised up from a wide gate into second and he handled conditions admirably to get his head in front on the line. 

Purchased by David Ellis for the New Zealand Chinese Jockey Club & Te Akau Diamond Power Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM), he capped consistent form with a win in April and shows to handle yielding ground.

Prise De Fer  (4 g Savabeel - Foiled) - Opie Bosson; worked up fourth at the 600m and remained in a similar spot without being asked for too much in the straight. 

Owned by the Te Akau En Guarde Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM), purchased by David Ellis for $100,000, from the draft of Trelawney Stud, at the 2017 New Zealand Bloodstock Premier Yearling Sale. A staying horse with plenty of promise, he registered a win and two seconds from a handful of starts and culminated his campaign with an unlucky eighth in the NZ Derby (Gr. 1, 2400m).

Fabulous Flight (5 g I Am Invincible - Court Flying) - Joe Kamaruddin; positioned handily in fourth, steadied five lengths 600m, holding his shape in testing ground without urging. 

Purchased by David Ellis for $205,000 from the draft of Lyndhurst Farm at the 2016 New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sale, he advanced in grade to win a Rating 72 1600 metres in February for the Te Akau Fabulous Flight Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM) and won three from 12 in a consistent career.

Heat 6 2YO 600 metres (head, 3 ½ lengths 38.5)

Image of You  (2 f Pins - Exactly Like You) - Troy Harris; was a touch green out the gates and raced wide without cover, but showed determination when stretching out over the concluding stages to win. 

Having her first trial, purchased by David Ellis for $300,000 at the 2019 Karaka Book 1 Sale, from the draft of Waikato Stud, and owned by the Te Akau Mirror Image Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM). By Champion sire Pins (Snippet), sire of nine individual Group One winners, 83 stakes winners, and a phenomenal attribute to Waikato Stud and the New Zealand breeding industry. She is out of young mare by five-time Champion sire Savabeel (Zabeel). 

Heat 7 2YO 600 metres (1 length, 3 ½ lengths 37.2)

Press Baron  (2 c Written Tycoon - Into the Groove) - Troy Harris; began from well the outside of four runners to be situated second entering the straight and kept up a very good gallop to win.

Having his first trial, owned by the Te Akau 2019 Breeding Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM) and purchased by David Ellis from the Hallmark Stud draft at the 2019 Karaka Book 1 Sale. Written Tycoon (Iglesia) stands for $110,000 and right at the top of the Australian stallion ranks, as a leading First Season Sire and Champion Two-Year-Old sire, with six individual Group One winners and yearlings sold up to $900,000. He is the first foal from a winning mare by Redoute's Choice, a son of Danehill (Danzig) the most successful all-time sire.

Heat 8 2YO 600 metres (neck, 5 lengths 37.9)

The Panther (2 c Iffraaj - La Panthere) - Michael McNab; began smartly to lead, quickened when asked nearing the 200m and kept up a strong gallop to win.

Having his first trial, owned by the Te Akau Fiery Red Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM), purchased by David Ellis for $60,000 from the Wentwood Grange draft at the 2019 Karaka Book 1 Sale. Bred on the same cross as Gingernuts - by Iffraaj, out of a Generous mare - trained by Te Akau to win the NZ Derby (Gr. 1, 2400m), Rosehill Guineas (Gr. 1, 2000m), and Windsor Park Plate (Gr. 1, 1600m). Iffraaj (Zafonic) is also the dam sire of stable star Melody Belle (Commands), winner of five Group Ones last season.

Heat 9 Open 800 metres (1 ¾ lengths, ¾ lengths 49.1)

Folk Dress (3 f Pierro - Gypsy Chimes) - Troy Harris; was handily placed in fourth, clear on straightening and never off the bridle she kept going strongly for second.

In training for Coolmore Australia, she is a smart filly that won twice and also finished fourth twice in stakes races from five race day starts.

Sword of Osman  (4 g Savabeel - Bunyah) - Opie Bosson; travelled up boldly on the inside of runners from barrier one and kept up a strong gallop for third. 

A finalist for Champion Two-Year-old after winning the Sistema Stakes (Gr. 1, 1200m) and Matamata Slipper (Gr. 3, 1200m). He won the Sarten Memorial (Gr. 2, 1400m) as a three-year-old, and five from 11 in total. A strong and precocious son of five-time Champion Sire Savabeel (Zabeel), he was purchased by David Ellis for $165,000 at the 2017 New Zealand Bloodstock Premier Yearling Sale, prepared by Trelawney Stud for breeder Joan Egan, and owned by the Te Akau Great Sword Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM).

Ristretto  (4 m Makfi - Espresso Cavallo) - Michael McNab; was widest of the five runners from the outside gate and held together after levelling at the 200m she rolled on best after the line. 

Owned by the Te Akau Double Shot Syndicate (Mgr: Julia-Rose Ellis), she spelled following a polished debut win as an autumn two-year-old, and shaping up again after a quiet three-year-old season. By Makfi (Dubawi), a British bred, French trained, 2000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m) winner, out of mare by former Australian Horse of the Year Lonhro (Octagonal). 

Heat 10 Open 800 metres (neck, head 49.8)

Quattro Katie  (4 m Zoustar - Kakakakatie) - Opie Bosson; was fourth of five from a wide draw, three lengths 600m and making her run widest in the straight she sustained a strong gallop for second.

Finishing third in the Canterbury Belle Stakes (Listed, 1200m) during a Southern spring campaign that saw her place three times from five starts, she followed consistent form with a deserved victory in March, before spelling. Quattro Katie was purchased by David Ellis for $150,000, from the draft of Baramul Stud, at the 2017 Gold Coast Yearling Sale.

Scottish Star  (4 m Bullbars - Highland Lights) - Joe Kamaruddin; travelled well outside the leader, quickened in a line of four to the 200m and not asked for much more, finishing close up fourth.

She beat Helena Baby (Guillotine), who has since won five in row, on debut in March at Matamata, and spelled in April after finishing third at her next start. A half-sister to stable-mate Our Abbadean (Lookin At Lucky), a dual Group Two winner and twice Group One placed, she was purchased by David Ellis for $46,000 at the 2017 New Zealand Bloodstock Select Yearling Sale, from the draft of Wentwood Grange, and owned by the Te Akau Scottish Star Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM).

Heat 12 Maiden 3YO 800 metres (neck, 3 ¾ lengths 50.9)

Family Time (3 f Redoute's Choice - Precious Time) - Opie Bosson; began well to hold an advantage three wide, joined on straightening and kept up a good gallop for third. 

In training for breeder Christopher Grace QSM, his wife, Susanna, and Rod Preston, she is the first foal from Te Akau trained four-time winner Precious Time (Stravinsky), making her a three-quarter sister to five-time Group One winning sprinter Lankan Rupee (Redoute's Choice). Lankan Rupee was voted Horse of the Year and Champion Sprinter in Australia, winning $4.1m in prize money. 

Heat 13 Maiden 3YO 800 metres (head, 1 length 49.8)

Lucky Shark  (3 g Darci Brahma - Shamardal Luck) - Troy Harris; was through to level on straightening after being handy from barrier one, he gained and advantage at the 200m and showed good athleticism in winning. 

Owned by Matt Allenby, Deborah Charlton, Michael Clemenger, Matt Fitzgerald, Steve & Kristy Mace, Chris Russell, Jason Simcocks, and Dave Taylor, his half-brother Shocking Luck (Shocking) was trained by Te Akau to finish second in the Waikato Guineas (Gr. 2, 2000m) before winning the Rough Habit Plate (Gr. 3, 2000m) at Doomben racecourse in Brisbane, and being sold to Hong Kong. He was purchased by David Ellis at the 2018 New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sale, from the draft of Phoenix Park.

Heat 14 Maiden 3YO 800 metres (2 ¾ lengths, 1 ½ lengths 50.9)

Super Sid  (3 g Rip Van Winkle - Half Bak) - Opie Bosson; travelled keenly in behind from barrier one and never off the bridle in finishing second.

Purchased by David Ellis at the 2018 New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sale, from the draft of Lenarch Lodge, owned by the Te Akau Game Breaker Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM). He is a three-quarter brother to stable-mate Te Akau Shark (Rip Van Winkle), winner of five from six including the Coupland's Bakeries Mile (Gr. 2, 1600m).  

Heat 18 Maiden 4YO & Up 800 metres (2 ¾ lengths, 3 ½ lengths 50.0) 

Hierarchy (4 g Burgundy - Silvara) - Opie Bosson; began smartly to co-lead on the outer and held together for third after dipping and diving in the ground mid-straight. 

In training for Chris Rutten and John Norwood, two of the three owners in dual Group One winning stable-mate Yourdeel (Dundeel), along with Rod Preston (mentioned above in the ownership of Family Ties). 3 x 3 to both Danehill and Zabeel, he is by the Te Akau trained stallion Burgundy (Redoute's Choice), winner of five stakes races, bought by David Ellis.

Heat 19 Maiden 3YO 1000 metres (head, ½ a length 1:08.0)

Sizzler  (3 f Sizzling - O'Raghailligh) - Joe Kamaruddin; camped on the leaders, took an inside path on straightening and kept up a strong gallop under minimal urging to finish third. 

Owned by the Te Akau Red Hot Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM), purchased by David Ellis for $90,000 at the 2018 New Zealand Bloodstock Book 1 Sale, from the draft of Bradbury Park. She debuted in October with a notable performance for fourth to subsequent stakes winner Bavella (Snitzel) over 880 metres at Ellerslie, going on to finish second and fourth before spelling in January.

Lethal  (3 c Savabeel - Katie Lee) - Opie Bosson; settled back off the outside gate, five lengths 600m, drawn widest in the straight and although tending to lay in he finished close up in fifth. 

Purchased by David Ellis at the Karaka Book 1 Sale, from the draft of Cambridge Stud, he was given one start as a two-year-old to finish second at Hastings. Out of Katie Lee (Pins), the first horse in history to win both the 2000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m) and 1000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m), he is owned by the 2018 Colt Breeding Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM), which includes two-time winning colt Equinox (Exceed and Excel).

Radegast  (3 g Savabeel - Marveen) - Michael McNab; steadied back from an outside draw, five lengths 600m and rounded off well, without much room, to finish on the leaders heels and good through the line.

Owned by the Te Akau Radegast Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM), he was purchased by Te Akau principal David Ellis for $175,000 at the 2018 New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sale, from the draft of Kilgravin Lodge. 

Enrichment  (3 g Rock ‘N' Pop - Enhance) - Troy Harris; was sixth on the outer from a wide draw, improved to four lengths 600m and without much room he kept up a good gallop to finish just off the leaders.

Bred and owned by Karyn Fenton-Ellis (MNZM), Lydia Ellis and Julia-Rose Ellis, he is the first foal from their talented filly Enhance (Saperavi), who stylishly won her first two starts. He registered a second and fourth in two starts and the type to keep improving.  

Heat 20 Maiden 3YO 1000 metres (1 length, 3 lengths 1:07.3)

Meritorious  (3 f Burgundy - Iconic) - Troy Harris; began smartly to lead, travelled best on straightening and quickened to a handy advantage before being claimed near the line.

From the family of New Zealand Bloodstock Filly of the Year Insouciant (Keeper), trained by Mark Walker, she is in training for Sir Peter Vela. 

Blitzabeel  (3 f Savabeel - Cape Mapperley) - Joe Kamaruddin; travelled keenly on the inner from barrier one and kept up a solid gallop under minimal urging to photo finish for third. 

Purchased by David Ellis for $180,000 at the 2018 New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sale, from the draft of Mapperley Stud, and owned d by the Te Akau Caped Lady Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM). She won her first trial under a hold in February at Te Aroha, was polished when winning her second in March at Matamata, before a debuting with a third. 

Shezawinkle (3 f Rip Van Winkle - Sheza Gem) - Michael McNab; settled back, improved one off the rail to be camped at the 600m, clear wide on straightening she stayed on well to photo finish for third and doing her best work after the line.

Bred in partnership by Oliver Saxton (Waihi Livestock) and owned with David and Matt Peacocke (Weston Lea Bloodstock), her dam, Sheza Gem (Danehill) has left four individual winners of nine races. 

Excitonic (3 g Savabeel - Bint Piavonic) - Opie Bosson; began well to position outside the leader and not appreciative of the heavy going he was given an easy time inside the 200m.

He was purchased by David Ellis for $230,000 from the draft of Brighthill Farm at the New Zealand Bloodstock Book1 Karaka Sale, and owned by Te Akau Excitonic Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM). By five-time Champion Sire Savabeel (Zabeel), his dam, Bint Piavonic, is the daughter of a terrific nine-time winner Piavonic (Scenic), who defeated Sunline (Desert Sun) and Falvelon (Alannon) in the Manikato Stakes (Gr. 1, 1200m).

Heat 21 Maiden 4YO & Up 1000 metres (1 ¾ lengths, long neck 1:07.2)

Golden Age (4 g Savabeel - La Belle Epoque) - Joe Kamaruddin; was on and off the bridle from barrier one, three lengths 600m and seen doing his best work through the line after being angled wider at the 200m.

Unlucky not to win during in his first campaign, with two seconds, a third, and two fourths, from six starts, he was purchased by David Ellis for $350,000 at the New Zealand Bloodstock 2017 Ready to Run Sale, from the draft of Lyndhurst Farm, for owners in the Te Akau Golden Age Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM).

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