Te Akau Boxing Day Bonanza - Win 1 of 6 - Palamos

Palamos  (2 c Extreme Choice - Unrevealed, by Forest Wildcat) rose to the forefront of chances to provide Te Akau Racing its fifth consecutive Karaka Million after winning the $50,000 SkyCity 2YO 1100 metres on Boxing Day at Ellerslie. 

Regarded as a ‘cool, calm and collected' colt, Palamos had freshened since exhibiting a good action when winning on debut by two lengths in the 2YO 1000 metres on 24 October at Te Rapa, and held together for a comfortable third when trialling on 8 December at Avondale.

Overcoming an awkward draw (8) to settle three back on the inner, Palamos was angled clear by rider Opie Bosson at the 300m and sustained a strong finish to win well.

“He felt good and should be suited stepping to 1200 metres,” said Bosson, referring to the $1m Karaka Million (Restricted Listed, 1200m) on 23 January at Ellerslie, where she will attempt to emulate the victories of Champion Two-Year-Old and dual Horse of the Year Melody Belle (Commands), Champion Two-Year-Old and quadruple Group 1 winner Avantage (Fastnet Rock), history maker - winning both Karaka Million 2YO & 3YO - and dual Group 1 winner in Australia Probabeel (Savabeel), and Champion Two-Year-Old Cool Aza Beel (Savabeel), having all won the race previously for Te Akau.

“I thought it was a very good effort and he would have learned a lot today,” Bosson said. “Going between runners, letting down right-handed, and I liked the way he pinned his ears back and attacked the line. 

“As long as he stays sound he's going to be up to his ears in the Karaka Million. He travelled beautifully. A little bit green, but he's going to be improved again next time.”

On beautiful Dead4 footing, Palamos ran the 1100 metres in 1:04.7, last 600m in 34.3, and paid $3.30 & $1.50 on the NZ TAB tote, with stable-mates Sneaky Shark (Capitalist) and Sophisticardo (Burgundy) finishing third and sixth respectively. 

One of eight individual two-year-old winners this season for trainer Jamie Richards, Palamos became the first to notch two victories. 

“He ended up in a good spot from a tricky draw, but Opie (Bosson) was at his best: peeled and managed to find the right way through,” Richards said. 

“He doesn't do a lot in his track work at home, a bit hard to get a line on, but he won well with the hood (blinkers) on.

“He's got further improvement to come and we've got time now until the Karaka Million. I'd say he'd go straight there, now. 

“Sneaky Shark probably just overdid it a bit outside the leader and might be a horse that needs to be smothered up a little bit, but he went a good honest race, and Sophisticardo finished off nicely, just behind them, as well. They all fronted up and ran well.”

Bought as a weanling by bloodstock agent Paul Willetts, from Newgate Farm, and prepared for sale by Courtney Howells at Ainsley Downs, Palamos was purchased as a yearling by Te Akau principal David Ellis CNZM for $85,000 at the 2020 Karaka Book 1 Sale, and owned by Mr. Edmund Wong.

“We've had a message from Mr. Wong in Hong Kong and he thanked us for all our efforts of training the horse and he's really looking forward to the Karaka Million,” Karyn Fenton-Ellis said.

“Edmund is a great supporter of ours and he will be ecstatic and over the moon. 

“Jamie (Richards) and the team work extremely hard and seeing the success of the babies from breaking in to winning races is fantastic. 

“Jamie is a modest man, an extraordinary young trainer and a Hall of Fame trainer of the future. His work ethic, diligence, and attitude towards everything it takes to perform at this level should be admired.”

Palamos had provided the first winner for Extreme Choice (Not A Single Doubt), a dual Group 1 winning sprinter standing at Newgate Farm, when winning in October at Te Rapa. The dam, Unrevealed (Forest Wildcat), won four races to 1400 metres in Japan, while Palamos sports a cross of Mr. Prospector on the dam sides of both Extreme Choice and Unrevealed.

Palamos was strapped by Mette Mosebo.

Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz

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