Te Akau Ben Trumps Them

With a winning double in New Zealand for Te Akau, including a Group 2, our Singapore stable chimed in with an excellent win by a horse returning from injury ...

Showing promise before going to Singapore, Te Akau Ben (5 g Tavistock - Danalaga, by Danehill) won the $20,000 Maiden 1000 metres on Saturday at Kranji Racecourse.

Trained by Donna Logan, who finished second in the Trainers' Premiership in her first year with Te Akau, and is currently fourth this season, Te Akau Ben had won well at the trials as a three-year-old before debuting with a notable third in the Maiden 3YO 1200 metres on 5 April at Tauranga, and then transferred to the Kranji stable.

Following a good fourth on debut in Singapore, he finished second in the $75,000 Novice 1200 metres on turf, and returned from injury to win at his third start.

Despite the layoff, Logan said: “He showed good ability last season in the small window of racing we saw from him, and he looked to be striding out nicely in a recent trial. 

“He may start race favourite in this field and definitely a top three player.”

Which he turned out to be - ridden by Te Akau apprentice Yusoff Fadzli (a2), who won the Champion Apprentice title last season, Te Akau Ben travelled comfortably three back inner, improved to lead on straightening with 400m to run and found plenty in really good fashion to score. 

A big strong horse, destined for further, he did a great job to win over 1000 metres fresh-up, running 59.3 on the poly-track, and paid $2.60 on the NZ TAB tote. 

Pictured as a yearling below, Te Akau Ben was purchased by David Ellis CNZM for $115,000 at the 2019 Karaka Book 1 Sale, from the draft of Curraghmore Stud. 

Bred by Raffles Racing and owned by Mr. Ben Kwok and Te Akau Stud, his dam Danalaga, winner of three to 2600 metres, has left six winners of 21 races, including More Than Sacred (More Than Ready) who won the New Zealand Oaks (Gr. 1, 2400m), Sunline Vase (Gr. 3, 2100m), and Waikato Cup (Gr. 3, 2400m), Sacred Empire (More Than Ready), a six time winner to 2000 metres, and winner of five to 2500 metres More Than Ever (More Than Ready).

At the time of purchase, Ellis said: “Danalaga was a stakes' performer by Champion Sire Danehill that placed in the Oaks and already left an Oaks' winner, and has become a very good producer. 

“He's a straightforward good type, walks well, and I think he was really good buying. His pedigree suggests he will need a bit of time, but he should continue developing with maturity to become a Cups' type horse at four and older.”

Ellis added that he was a good deep colour and naturally athletic.

Te Akau Ben is inbred to immortal sire Northern Dancer through both sire lines.