Te Akau Boxing Day Bonanza - Win 5 of 6 - Mai Tai

The Hawkins family from Wentwood Grange were elated to win the race they sponsored with Mai Tai (4 m Atlante - Tropical Punch, by Faltaat) on Waikato Cup Day at Te Rapa, and judging by the screams they matched it on Boxing Day at Ellerslie.

Cries of ‘Mai Tai' were heard loud and clear as Mai Tai was presented by rider Danielle Johnson and charged home in her inimitable style to win the $80,000 Stella Artois Championship Final (Special Conditions, 1500m). 

“We were thrilled to win the race at Te Rapa, with a horse we bred and owned, but today was something else,” said Des Hawkins. “There looked to be two or three horses in the race that were better than us, but they had to carry more weight and now, well, maybe she is up there.

“She's a really nice mare and it looked like it today. We had Our Abbadean in the Te Akau stable and she was a dual Group 2 winner and Group 1 placed, and as breeders that's what we strive for.

“We'll give her a short spell now and we'll keep everything crossed that she can come back and get some black type. 

“The relationship with Jamie (Richards) is really good and he knows what we're looking for. He takes his time and gets them to the right races. He's knows we're not in any rush, so this is fabulous. 

“She's a beautifully conformed, roomy, mare, who still has a bit of maturing to do but we're on the right track.”

Winning by one and a quarter lengths, Mai Tai returned $6.90 & $2.30 as third favourite in the NZ TAB tote, and now won three of her seven starts.

“We're really proud of her,” Richards said. “She is very effective at what she does. I was a little bit worried when Danielle got the shuffle up, but she got across heels at the top of the straight and with a nice light weight (54kg), and a good confidence building win last time, she's duly obliged again.

“I was also a bit worried about going back right-handed with her, but as she gets a bit deeper into her racing, and all of those sorts of things, she is handling it more professionally.

“It's exciting for the Hawkins family. Des and Janet are here and they've been great supporters of mine since I've started training. 

“She'll have a break from here and avoid firmer tracks, but we might work backwards from here in March and see if we can pick up some black type, because that's what it's all about for breeders.”

Her dam Tropical Punch (Faltaat) was Group 3 and Listed placed to 1600 metres and Mai Tai carries a Mr. Prospector cross - used to good effect in breeding strategies by Wentwood Grange - as the sire of Faltaat and through the dam-lines of Atlante.

Mai Tai races in the trademark Wentwood Grange colours of black, bronze Prince of Wales feathers, and matching quartered cap. 

Mai Tai was strapped by Tracy Collis. 

Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz

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