Te Akau Avondale Trials' Report

Te Akau trialled horses at Avondale on Tuesday 25 February -

Weather: fine, track: Dead5, rail: out 7 metres

Heat 1 Open 1200 metres (1 ¼ lengths, 2 ¼ lengths 1:12.0)

Savy Yong Blonk  (4 m Savabeel - Ampin) - Opie Bosson; travelled fifth of seven on the inner and worked home comfortably into third. 

A filly that performed at the top end as a three-year-old, and winner of three from 13, she followed an impressive win with a terrific run for second in the City of Auckland Cup (Gr. 3, 2400m) on 1 January at Ellerslie. Bred and owned by Bill & Margaret Gartshore and Jim & Susan Gartshore, she is the first foal from unraced Pins (Snippets) mare Ampin, in turn from the impressive winning race mare Ambitious (Last Tycoon), who finished second in the 1000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m) and left seven individual winners of 22 races. 

Heat 2 Open 1000 metres (1 ½ lengths, ¾ lengths 1:00.6)

Age of Fire  (5 g Fastnet Rock - Dragon's Tail) - Opie Bosson; began well to cross and lead at the 800m, travelled sweetly, and found a good kick at the 200m to win well. 

A Group One winning colt (Levin Classic, 1600m) purchased by David Ellis at the Sydney Easter Yearling Sales, from Erinvale Thoroughbreds, now owned by Cambridge Stud and Te Akau 2016 Sydney Breeding Syndicate (No. 2), he has returned from racing in Australia. 

Luminous (4 m Reliable Man - Keenly) - Craig Grylls; found a nice spot fourth on the outer, clear on straightening and finished strongly for second to a Group One winner. 

A white filly, she was a stakes placed Maiden (Royal Stakes (Gr. 2, 2000m)) during three starts in her first campaign, before winning in the spring. Purchased by David Ellis for $180,000 at the 2017 New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sale, from the draft of Diamond Lodge, owned by the Te Akau Flawless Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM). 

Shebringsmerubies (4 m Sebring - Runaway Ruby) - Diego Montes de Oca; began well before settling three back on the inner and she ran home solidly for fourth.

Owned by the Te Akau Girls Having Fun Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM), she was offered by Vinery Stud and purchased by David Ellis for $57,500 at the 2017 Gold Coast National Yearling Sale. Unlucky not to break through in her first campaign, she delivered in the spring and a consistent type preparing to race again. 

Heat 3 Open 1000 metres (1 length, 1 ¾ lengths 59.5)

Top Brass (4 g Epaulette - Highlight) - Chelsea Burdan; began well from the outside barrier to lead at a genuine pace and never flinched to record a smart win. 

The winner of two from two, owned by Terry Archer, Mike Beazley, Howard Perry, Stu Graham, Murray Darroch, Marcelle Douglas, Stuart Gladding, and A Dime-A-Dozen Syndicate, Top Brass is by the multiple Group One winning sprinter Epaulette (Commands), standing at Darley in Australia. He is the first foal out of a High Chaparral (Sadler's Wells) mare that won five races from 1400m - 1900m, from a good producing dam line that includes talented third dam Superjet (Jetball). 

Lilikoi  (3 f Charm Spirit - Barbadine) - Danielle Johnson; was slowest to begin, last of six, eight lengths 600m before improving with a big run for second. 

Bred and owned by Sir Peter Vela, she ended a terrific campaign finishing third in the Royal Stakes (Gr. 2, 2000m), after an impressive victory in the Eulogy Stakes (Gr. 3, 1600m). 

Scottish Star  (4 m Bullbars - Highland Lights) - Diego Montes de Oca; worked across to co-lead on the inner and kept up a good gallop for third. 

An authoritative debut winner, and placed twice since in five starts, she is a half-sister to former stable-mate Our Abbadean (Lookin At Lucky), a dual Group Two winner and twice Group One placed. 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 4 Open 1000 metres (¾ lengths, 1 ¼ lengths 59.5)

She's Not Bad (5 m He's Remarkable - Andra) - Opie Bosson; was handy on the inner from barrier one, quickened to an advantage at the 200m and went on to win well. 

She is the winner of five starts from 13 races for breeder Simms Davison, Mapperley Stud, who races the mare with Garry Chittick.

Awareness  (3 f Redoute's Choice - Aware) - Chelsea Burdan; contested a competitive early pace before steadying, five lengths 600m, and found the line well for fifth under a hand ride. 

Given time since winning on debut in December, she was purchased by David Ellis for $300,000 at the 2018 Sydney Easter Yearling Sale, from the draft of Newhaven Park Stud, owned by the Te Akau Very Aware Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM) and Luke Kemeys (Boys Get Paid). By the undisputed king of Australian sires, Redoute's Choice, a son of the most successful sire of all time, Danehill (Danzig), her dam sire, Tale of the Cat (Storm Cat), was a Champion 2YO Sire in the U.S.A, Champion Freshman sire in New Zealand, and sire of 2000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m) winner Tell A Tale, who was purchased as a yearling by David Ellis for $125,000 at the Magic Millions Sale on the Gold Coast, and trained by Mark Walker.

Heat 6 2YO 800 metres (short neck, 1 ¾ lengths 46.6)

La Flora Belle  (2 f Iffraaj - Tsarina Belle) - Opie Bosson; was held together to trail from barrier one and came up the rail to finish on terms with the winner - second. 

A three-quarter sister to stable-mate and Horse of the Year Melody Belle, both bred by Marie Leicester, she is owned by Marie, Maryanne Robertson, Catheryne Roselli, Louise Beard, Angela Finucane, Jackie Morgan, Martin Marshall, and Heather Mabin. Her grand-dam, Empress Belle (Sir Tristram), from which both Tsarina Belle (Stravinsky) and Meleka Belle (Iffraaj) (dam of Melody Belle) stem, left nine winners of 31 races, while to date Tsarina Belle has left two winners of six races.

Heat 7 2YO 800 metres (head, 2 ¼ lengths 45.8)

Maid of Orleans  (2 f Sacred Falls - Our Joan of Arc) - Craig Grylls; tracked a competitive pace on the inner and closed off nicely for fourth. 

Having her first trial, she is bred and owned by Greg Tomlinson, along with Peter Leathem & Jo Esplin, John Heale, Rob Egan, John Blue, Andrew Lacy & Colin & Karen Bird. From the second crop of quadruple Group One winner Sacred Falls (O'Reilly), her dam, Our Joan of Arc (Beautiful Crown), won the Gimcrack Stakes (Gr. 3, 1000m) on debut as a two-year-old at Randwick, and emulated two starts later in the Maribyrnong Stakes (Listed, 1000m) at Flemington.

Heat 8 2YO 800 metres (neck, ½ a lengths 46.9)

2 f Rock ‘n' Pop- Pteridophyte - Danielle Johnson; worked up three wide near the pace at the 600m and responded with a strong effort for third. 

Having her first trial, owned and bred by David Ellis and Karyn Fenton-Ellis (MNZM), she is by 2000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m) winner Rock ‘n' Pop (Fastnet Rock), bought by Ellis, who stands at Okawa Stud, Hawkes Bay, from a mare by champion sire O'Reilly (Last Tycoon). 

Mon Appiel  (2 g Pour Moi - Appiel) - Craig Grylls; camped on the leaders and kept up a good gallop for fifth. 

In training for owner/breeder Clyde & Pat Buckingham (Emblem Ltd), having his first trial, he is by English Derby (Gr. 1, 2400m) winner Pour Moi (Montjeu), from Appiel (Singspiel), a mare that impressed winning with give in the ground. 

Heat 9 2YO 800 metres (2 ¾ lengths, 1 length 45.3)

Supreme Khan  (2 g Mongolian Khan - Angelica Hall) - Opie Bosson; began well to contest a competitive three-way pace and found resolutely to finish second. 

Having his first trial for owners: Shaw's Property Holdings, Te Akau Supreme Khan Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM) & Tale to Tell Syndicate, she was purchased by David Ellis for $160,000, from the draft of Windsor Park Stud, at the 2019 Karaka Book 1 Sale. From a gifted and athletic family with trademark abilities to quicken, he is from the first crop of Champion Three-Year-Old, subsequent dual Horse of the Year, and Champion Stayer Mongolian Khan (Holy Roman Emperor), who recorded Group One wins in the NZ Derby, ATC Derby, and Caulfield Cup, while Te Akau trained his impressive dual winning dam Angelica Hall (Guillotine).

Be Flexi (2 f No Nay Never - Isabelino) - Danielle Johnson; tracked the speed on the inner and showed good extension getting into third. 

In training for Dr. Gene Tsoi, for whom Te Akau trained New Zealand Bloodstock Filly of the Year King's Rose (Redoute's Choice). No Nay Never (Scat Daddy) is also the sire of stable-mate Need I Say More, winner of two from two including the Waikato Stud Slipper (Gr. 3, 1200m). Be Flexi is from a mare (Isaelino) by current leading Australian Broodmare Sire (wins) and champion sire Encosta De Lago (Fairy King). Isabelino has left two winners of seven races. 

Heat 10 2YO 800 metres (¾ lengths, 1 ¼ lengths 45.9)

Conquistador  (2 c Savabeel - Suavito) - Opie Bosson; began well but caught three wide on the pace and kept up a very good gallop for second. 

Owned by the Te Akau 2019 Breeding Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM). By five-time Champion Sire Savabeel, his dam, Sauvito (Thorn Park), won two weight-for-age Group One races: Futurity Stakes (Gr. 1, 1400m) and the C F Orr Stakes (Gr. 1, 1400m) at Caulfield. He was purchased by David Ellis for $775,000 at the 2019 Karaka Book 1 Sale, from the draft of Waikato Stud.

Heat 11 2YO 800 metres (short neck, 1 ¼ lengths 46.0)

Devoted  (2 g Contributer - Mapmaker) - Opie Bosson; tracked a competitive pace in third and sustained a good gallop, without serious urging, for third. 

Purchased by David Ellis for $55,000 at the 2019 Karaka Book 1 Sale, from the draft of Mapperley Stud, and owned by the Te Akau Cartography Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM). From the first crop of Champion Australian Middle Distance Horse of the Year Contributer (High Chaparral), a dual Group One winner of the Chipping Norton (Gr. 1, 1600m) and Ranvet Stakes (Gr. 1, 2000m). His dam, Mapmaker (Volksraad), won twice and placed in the Trentham Stakes (Gr. 3, 2100m).

Heat 12 2YO 800 metres (head, 2 ¼ lengths 45.8)

Hoity Toity  (2 f Makfi - Sopra Tutto) - Danielle Johnson; began well to situate third in the open and remained competitive in tight quarters to finish on terms with the winner.

In training for Waikato Stud, a filly purchased from the Pencarrow draft at Karaka, and having her first trial. Her sire, Makfi (Dubawi), was a British bred, French trained, 2000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m) winner. Notably, Makfi has sired NZ Horse of the Year Bonneval, and New Zealand Filly of the Year Sofia Rosa. Hoity Toity is a sister to Ethereal Stakes (Gr. 3, 2000m) and Sunline Vase (Gr. 3, 2100m) winner Eleonora, and, coincidentally, their grand-dam, Champion Stayer, Ethereal (Rhythm) won of the Queensland Oaks, Caulfield Cup, and Melbourne Cup. It is a fantastic Pencarrow Stud family, going back to Hong Kong International Cup winner Romanee Conti (Sir Tristram), and includes champion stallion Darci Brahma (Danehill) and stallion Burgundy (Redoute's Choice), both bought by David Ellis.  

Heat 15 2YO 1000 metres (½ a length, head 59.9)

Heracles  (2 g Pins - Cerberus) - Opie Bosson; utilized barrier one but overdid things in front, joined nearing the home turn and he was held together over the concluding stages.

From a classy and versatile family, his dam has left winners from 1200m - 2000m; grand-dam Chimeara (Danehill) was an impressive winner over 1200m & 1600 metres and his third dam, Tristalove (Sir Tristram), was Head of the 1992-93 NZ 2YO Free Handicaps & Joint top filly on the 1993-94 Australasian 3YO Classification. Purchased by David Ellis for $200,000 at the 2019 Karaka Book 1 Sale, from the Pencarrow draft, and owned by the Te Akau Pin Him Up Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM).

Speed of Light (2 f Proisir - Light Source) - Craig Grylls; travelled fifth inner and not asked for too much before having to steady off heels near home. 

By Joint Leading Second Season Sire Proisir (Choisir), she is from a young Iffraaj mare, the same as Horse of the Year Melody Belle (Commands). Owned by the Te Akau Leading Light Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM), she was purchased by David Ellis for $37,500 at the 2019 Karaka Book 1 Sale, from the draft of Fairdale Stud. 

Heat 16 2YO 1000 metres (1 length, 2 ½ lengths 59.5)

Image of You  (2 f Pins - Exactly Like You) - Opie Bosson; worked forward outside the leader and she sustained a good gallop for second. 

Owned by the Te Akau Mirror Image Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM), she was bought by David Ellis from the draft of Waikato Stud at the NZB 2019 Karaka Book 1 Sale. By Champion sire Pins (Snippets), sire of nineteen individual Group One winners, 134 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 17 Maiden 1000 metres (neck, 1 length 1:00.7)

3 f Atlante - Tropical Punch - Opie Bosson; travelled firmly on the bridle in midfield, three lengths 600m, and powered up with a strong finish inside the 200m to win stylishly. 

In training for the Hawkins family at Wentwood Grange, her dam, Tropical Punch (Faltaat), was Group Three and Listed placed to 1600 metres, and the filly carries a Mr. Prospector cross as the sire of Faltaat and through the dam lines of Atlante.

Greedy  (3 f Savabeel - Indulge) - Danielle Johnson; began well from barrier one to trail, clear rail on straightening and without serious urging was collared near the line after taking an advantage at the 200m - second.

In training for Waikato Stud, she had produced a very good second at her first trial on dead ground in May at Cambridge. The first foal from an unraced mare by Pins (Snippets), she is a three-quarter sister to Te Akau trained Group Two & Three winner Splurge (Savabeel), from Group Three winner and Group One placed Splashing Out (O'Reilly), and the family of ill-fated Waikato Stud stallion Sacred Falls (O'Reilly). 

Heat 18 Maiden 1000 metres (head, 2 ¾ lengths 1:00.0)

3 f Charm Spirit - Applauding - Danielle Johnson; began smartly from a wide gate to work across into fourth, ranged rounding the home turn and sustained a good gallop to photo-finish for third.

Owned and bred by Adam Pascoe and Windsor Park Stud, from the first crop of triple Group One winner Charm Spirit (Invincible Spirit), standing at Windsor Park, she is from a Pentire mare, in turn from Easter Handicap (Gr. 1, 1600m) winner and subsequent talented producer Honor Bound (Honor Grades).

Laurentium  (3 g Sacred Falls - Alberton Princess) - Opie Bosson; pushed up from barrier one to contest the pace before steadying to trail but without a lot to offer in the straight.

Owned by Linda Buttle, he is a half-brother to gifted three-year-old Brutal (O'Reilly), winner of three from three in Melbourne, before claiming the Doncaster Handicap (Gr. 1, 1600m) at Randwick.

Heat 19 Maiden 1000 metres (neck, ¾ lengths 1:00.6)

Cicciolina (4 m Burgundy - A La Votre) - Diego Montes de Oca; began well from barrier one to co-lead before steadying to second and kept going without much urging for fourth. 

From the talented three-time winning mare and handy producer A La Votre (Volksraad), raced by Aussie & Leslie Browne. She is owned by Karyn Fenton-Ellis (MNZM), Aaron Jones, and Stephen Turner, who shared in her breeding. 

Radegast (3 g Savabeel - Marveen) - Chelsea Burdan; settled back on the inner, seven lengths 600m, and maintained a similar margin near the rail. 

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. 

Heat 20 Maiden 1000 metres (1 ¼ lengths, head 1:00.0)

Confectionary (3 f Per Incanto - Not A Jaffa) - Danielle Johnson; was a touch awkward when being steadied from a wide draw to last, improving five lengths 600m and produced a big finish widest on the track to win with her ears pricked. 

Owned by the Te Akau Jaffalicious Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM), purchased as yearling by David Ellis for $290,000 at the 2018 Karaka Book 1 Sale, from the draft of Little Avondale Stud,  her dam, Not A Jaffa (Iffraaj), is a half-sister to Hong Kong Horse of the Year Werther (Tavistock), both being out of Bagalollies (Zabeel).

 

Super Sid  (3 g Rip Van Winkle - Half Bak) - Opie Bosson; began well from barrier one to race boldly on the inner and he sustained his gallop to finish amongst a wall of horses - fourth. 

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, winner of six from 11, including the Coupland's Bakeries Mile (Gr. 2, 1600m) by six lengths, second in the Epsom Handicap (Gr. 1, 1600m) at Randwick, third in the Cox Plate (Gr. 1, 2040m), and recent winner of the BCD Sprint (Gr. 1, 1400m), with $1,014,468 in prize money.

Heat 21 Maiden 1000 metres (4 lengths, head 59.5)

Get Hitched  (3 f Lonhro - Wedding) - Opie Bosson; steadied to the rear from a wide draw, improved stylishly to fourth at the 600m, under a hold, and quickened on by in the straight to win impressively. 

In training for Cambridge Stud proprietors Brendan Lindsay MNZM and Jo Lindsay, she is by Australian Horse of the Year, Champion Sire, and sire of sires Lonhro (Octagonal). The first foal from a race winning mare over 1400 metres in Australia, her third dam, Love Dance (Kaapstad), was a dual Group One winner of the Kelt Capital Stakes (2040m) and Avondale Cup (2200m). 

Uber Roca (3 f El Roca - Uberfrau) - Craig Grylls; went forward to lead at a strong clip and kept up a good gallop to photo-finish for second. 

Owned by David and Matt Peacocke, Oliver Saxton, Mark and Paul Apatu, and MJ Fox, she is from the first crop by El Roca (Fastnet Rock), sire of Group One winner Travelling Light (Levin Classic, 1600m). Through the sire line in her pedigree, she carries a cross of immortal stallion Northern Dancer. 

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