Te Akau Cambridge Trials' Report

Te Akau trialled horses on Monday 23 September at Cambridge -

Weather: cloudy, track: Dead5, rail: out 3 metres from 650m to 250m, remainder true

Heat 1 2YO 630 metres (long
neck, 7 ½ lengths 36.9)

2 f Darci Brahma - Kindred - Opie Bosson; found the lead quite easily from barrier one, quickened under her own steam in the straight and drawing clear with a stablemate rival she won comfortably without urging.

Having her first trial, bred and owned by Ronald Lau, her dam Kindred (Pins) was trained by Te Akau. Very well bred, she was a stakes' quality winner of three races to 1400 metres.  Her dam, Kind Return (Zabeel), was an impressive winner over 1400m and 1600m through the summer months, and also finished fourth in the Auckland Cup (3200m). Multiple Champion Sire Darci Brahma was purchased by Te Akau principal David Ellis as a yearling, winning five Group Ones, and currently having a stellar run with his progeny.

Pazienza (2 f Written Tycoon - Gypsy Chimes) - Troy Harris; settled
just off the hindquarters of the filly above and kept up a very good gallop,
finishing close second, as the pair drew clear.

Bred by Coolmore Stud and in training for Cambridge Stud owners Brendan Lindsay MNZM & Jo Lindsay, who also own the Ellis purchased Karaka Million (Restricted Listed, 1200m) winning stable-mate Probabeel (Savabeel), she was having her first trial. Pazienza is a half-sister to stable-mate and stakes' performed winner of two from five, Folk Dress (Pierro).

Heat 2 2YO 630 metres (long
head, ¾ lengths 37.1)

Fashion Shoot (2 f Savabeel - High Fashion) - Michael McNab; was
away nicely to take a sit just off the leader and kept galloping strongly under
a hand ride to claim third in a close finish.

Having her first trial for the Te Akau In Vogue Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn-Fenton Ellis), she was purchased by David Ellis for $320,000, from the draft of Waikato Stud, at the NZB 2019 Karaka Book 1 Sale. By five-time Champion Sire Savabeel (Zabeel), closing in on 100 stakes winners, including 18 Group Ones, her dam, High Fashion (O'Reilly), was an immensely talented race mare with a terrific turn of foot, winning four races including victory in the prestigious Desert Gold Stakes (Gr. 3, 1600m) and Lowland Stakes (Gr. 3, 2100m).

Heat 5 Open 800 metres (1 ¼ lengths, 1 ¼ lengths 46.5)

She's Not Bad (5 m He's Remarkable - Andra) - Joe Kamaruddin;
steadied to settle last of five, five lengths 600m, she made good ground to the
home turn and not asked for too much in a tidy trial performance.

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

Heat 6 Maiden 3YO 800 metres (head,
1 ¼ lengths 46.7)

3 f Tavistock - Marcey's Belt - Opie Bosson; was a stride slow and
squeezed back on the inner soon after the start, five lengths 600m, but she
tracked clear four wide on straightening and kept up a strong gallop to grab
third on the line.

Having her first trial, from the
family of triple Group One winner of the Cox Plate, Orr Stakes, and Yalumba
Stakes, Maldivian (Zabeel), she was bred by Kevin & Kathleen Gray, at
Copper Belt Lodge.

Markus Aurelius (3 g Ghibellines - Evancho) - Joe Kamaruddin;
worked up fifth on the outer, four lengths 600m, and found the line without any
pressure after being flushed wide around the home turn.

Having his first trial for the Te Akau Great Southern Man Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn-Fenton Ellis), he was purchased by David Ellis for $13,000 at the 2018 New Zealand Bloodstock South Island Sale, from the draft of White Robe Lodge, and has a lovely cross of the most successful sire of all time: Danehill (349 stakes winners), through the dam side of Ghibellines and as the sire of dam sire Shinzig.

Heat 7 Maiden 3YO 800 metres (½
a length, 4 ¾ lengths 46.7)

Phantom Witness (3 g Star Witness - Fandom) - Opie Bosson; worked
forward from a wide draw to be fifth at the 600m, held together, and kept up a
strong gallop for second when drawing clear with the leader.

Purchased by David Ellis for $60,000 at the 2018 New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sale (below), from the draft of Lyndhurst Farm, owned by the Te Akau Phantom Witness Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM), he breezed-up amongst the top 10% of times and a naturally athletic type.

3 f Rock ‘N' Pop - Primo Quest - Chelsea Burdan; got back to last after an awkward start, 12 lengths 600m, and although the trip was too sharp she stayed on near the rail in the straight.

By the Te Akau trained 2000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m) winner Rock ‘N' Pop (Fastnet Rock), owned by the Te Akau Rock ‘N' Pop Syndicate, from a mare that was also trained by Te Akau to win seven races and the first horse for loyal owners Glenn & Cathie Holmes, who share in the breeding and ownership of the filly along with others that also raced the dam.

Heat 8 Maiden 3YO 800 metres (1
length, 3 lengths 46.5)

Blinder (3 g Reliable Man - Blinding) - Troy Harris; got back off a
wide gate, six lengths 600m, and although remaining rearward, and bred to a lot
further, he worked home solidly and was good through the line.

Having his first trial for the Te Akau Bedazzled Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn-Fenton Ellis), he was purchased by David Ellis for $160,000 at the NZB 2018 Karaka Book 1 Sale (below), from the draft of Highden Stud. His dam, Blinding (Black Minnaloushe), was a very competitive filly in her three-year-old year, finishing second in the Levin Classic (Gr. 1, 1600m), third in the Sarten Memorial (Listed, 1400m), and fourth in the Sir Tristram Classic (Gr. 2, 2000m).

Heat 9 Maiden 3YO 800 metres (1 ¾ lengths, 1 length 46.9)

Challa (3 g Dissident - Are There Any) - Chelsea Burdan; went a
touch awkwardly at times near the rail, from barrier one, before finishing
strongly for second.

He was extremely unlucky in his first campaign, beaten narrowly at each of his first three starts - twice by recent Canterbury Belle Stakes (Listed, 1200m) winner Miss Federer (Swiss Ace). Purchased by David Ellis for $100,000, from the draft of Trelawney Stud, at the NZB 2018 Karaka Book 1 Sale in January, he is owned by the Te Akau Challa Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM).

Heat 10 Maiden 3YO 800 metres
(1 length, ½ a length 46.8)

Crimson Star (3 f Burgundy - Red Tulip) - Michael McNab; was last
on the inner from barrier one, seven lengths 600m, made ground to fifth on
straightening and kept up a solid gallop to hold her spot.

Owned by the Te Akau Crimson Star Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM). Trained by Te Akau, her sire Burgundy (Redoute's Choice) was an immensely talented horse that won five stakes races before retiring to stallion duties at Cambridge Stud, while dam, Red Tulip (Red Ransom), won twice to 1300 metres in Australia, and so far left two individual winners of nine races.

Heat 11 Maiden 4YO & Up 800 metres (short neck, ½ a length 47.5)

Kylie Bax (4 m Pentire - Platinum Blond) - Opie Bosson; overcame a
wide draw to find a good spot with cover in third and never out of second gear
when closing in for second.

In training for Windsor Park
Stud, she spelled in December after a second and third from two starts. She is
the last foal from Platinum Blond (Kaapstad), who has left a host of winners,
and the family of Captain Cook Stakes (Gr. 1, 1600m) winner Penny Gem
(Pentire).

Twilight Zone (4 g O'Reilly - Twilight Granita) - Troy Harris;
began well from barrier one to lead, travelled held, joined on straightening
and kept going strongly for a close third.

Owned by the Te Akau In The Zone Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM), purchased by David Ellis for $70,000, from the draft of Bradbury Park, at the 2017 New Zealand Bloodstock Premier Yearling Sale. He is the first foal from a young stakes winning Iffraaj (Zafonic) mare, while his sire, O'Reilly (Last Tycoon), was a multiple Champion stallion.

Heat 12 4YO & Up 800
metres (short head, short head 45.8)

Pokuru's Gift (4 g Rock ‘N' Pop - Pokuru Boxer) - Troy Harris;
bounced out well to co-lead a line of three on the inner and rolled home
strongly in the three-way photo for first.

Bred and owned by Ian Farrelly, from the second crop of Waikato Stud stallion Rock ‘N' Pop (Fastnet Rock), who was purchased by David Ellis and won the 2000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m) for the Te Akau Rock ‘N' Pop Syndicate, he spelled in February following a fifth and second, respectively.

Heat 14 Open 935 metres (head,
neck 54.5)

Red Jakkal (4 g Jakkalberry - Red Alert) - Michael McNab; missed
the start by three lengths, six lengths 600m, and worked home nicely without
urging.

Purchased by David Ellis for Fortuna Syndications, managed by John Galvin, from the family of 2000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m) winner Master Belt (Masterclass), he followed a very good debut second to win first-up in his second preparation.

Heat 17 Maiden 3YO 935 metres
(½ a length, 3 ¾ lengths 55.7)

3 f Atlante - Taheya - Michael McNab; began well to trail handily
on the inner and found when asked in the straight, finishing third.

From the family of Love Dance
(Kaapstad), winner of the Kelt Capital Stakes (Gr. 1, 2040m), Avondale Cup (Gr.
1, 2200m), and Sir Tristram Fillies Classic (Gr. 2, 2000m), and Group One
placed mare Tip the Wink (Stravinsky), she is owned by Mr. Fudong Niu and Mr.
Oscar Yue.

Miss Showtime (3 f Showcasing - Colombelle) - Troy Harris; worked
forward from a wide gate to position second outer, was outpaced entering the
straight and fought on in midfield without too much urging.

Owned by the Te Akau Showtime Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM), purchased by David Ellis for $180,000 from the 2018 Karaka Book 1 Sale, from the draft of Haunui Farm, the same vendors from which he purchased Champion Two-Year-Old, reigning Horse of the Year, and eight-time Group One winner Melody Belle (Commands).

Heat 18 Maiden 3YO 935 metres
(¾ lengths, short head 55.0)

Aromatic (3 f Sacred Falls - Vickezzchardonnay) - Opie Bosson;
began well to work forward from a wide draw, caught three wide in fifth, but
remained extremely resolute to photo-finish for second.

Purchased by David Ellis for
$160,000 at the 2018 Karaka Book 1 Sale, from the draft of Milan Park, owned by
the Te Akau Sacred Wine Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM), her dam Vickezzchardonnay, by the highest priced yearling to ever sell at Karaka,
Don Eduardo ($3.6 million) (Zabeel), was an impressive five-time winner
from 1600m to 2100m.

O'Connor (3 g Charm Spirit - Courtney) - Michael McNab; hustled up
to work forward second outer and not far off away at the line, fifth, in a
close finish.

Having his first trial, and in training for Darryl and Ann Courtney-O'Connor, from the impressive winning mare Courtney (Montjeu) (2000m - 2500m).

Heat 19 Maiden 3YO 935 metres
(short head, ¾ lengths 55.6)

Baby Shark (3 g Rip Van Winkle - Bak Da Chief) - Opie Bosson; got
back after being a touch awkward as the gates opened, over-raced pulling between
runners to third at the 600m, but fought hard for a close third.

Purchased by David Ellis for $110,000 at the 2018 Karaka Book 1 Sale, from the draft of Leanach Lodge, Ellis also purchased his brother, Te Akau Shark, the winner of five from eight, including a six-length demolition in the Coupland's Bakeries Mile (Gr. 2, 1600m), who has finished second in both his starts this season: Foxbridge Plate (Gr. 2, 1200m) at Te Rapa, and Tramway Stakes (Gr. 2, 1400m) at Royal Randwick.

Heat 20 Maiden 3YO 935 metres
(1 ¼ lengths, short head 55.1)

Diamond Dream (3 f Fastnet Rock - Cierzo) - Opie Bosson; mustered through
from barrier two to share a competitive pace and not asked for the ultimate in
a strong effort for second.

From a family very well known in New Zealand, Te Akau principal David Ellis paid $500,000 for the valuable half-sister to stallion Jimmy Choux (Thorn Park), a multiple Group One winner, and Group One winner Miss Wilson (Stratum), from the draft of Coolmore Stud at the 2018 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale (below).

Heat 21 Maiden 3YO 935 metres (½ a length, ½ a length 54.7)

Double Expresso (3 f Shamexpress - Double Parked) - Michael McNab;
was not rushed from the gates, settling seventh on the inner, five lengths
600m, and quickened nicely one off the rail for a third.

In training for Windsor Park Stud, having her first trial, she is the first foal out of Double Parked (Thorn Park), who impressed winning over 1200 metres, and in turn from talented four-time winner to 2100 metres, This Time Rodney (Casual Lies).

Heat 22 Maiden 3YO 935 metres
(short neck, neck 55.6)

Ginger Too (3 g Iffraaj - La Chiflota) - Opie Bosson; was posted
five wide near the pace, from a wide gate, found an advantage to the 200m and
went again when challenged to win courageously.

Purchased by David Ellis for $70,000 at the 2018 Karaka Book 2 Sale, from the draft of Monovale Farm, owned by the Te Akau Little Jerry Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM). By Iffraaj (Zafonic), the sire of Te Akau trained triple Group One winner Gingernuts, and also the dam sire of Champion Two-Year-Old, reigning Horse of the Year, and eight-time Group One winner Melody Belle (Commands). He is out a Group One winner and Champion 2YO Filly in Chile.

Heat 23 Maiden 3YO 935 metres
(short neck, short head 55.3)

High Achiever (3 g Pins - Thee Achiever) - Michael McNab; was
posted four wide near the pace, from the outside barrier, and kept up a
terrific run under little urging for a close third.

Owned by the Te Akau High Achievers Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM), purchased by David Ellis for $100,000 at the 2018 Karaka Book 1 Sale, from the Milan Park draft. From a great South Island family of the Dennis brothers (Tony, Joe, Martin and Ray Dennis), he has also won two of his five trials.

Heat 24 Maiden 3YO 935 metres
(head, ½ a length 54.6)

Laureate (3 c Snitzel - Floria) - Opie Bosson; worked hard from a
wide gate to co-lead a competitive pace on the inner and although collared over
a sprint trip he finished not far away in fifth.

By Snitzel (Redoute's Choice), one of three in the trilogy of breed shaping champion stallions in Australia, along with Danehill (Danzig), and Redoute's Choice (Danehill), he is the first foal from impressive winning Savabeel (Zabeel) mare Floria, a winner of the Brisbane Cup (Gr. 2, 2400m), Summoned Stakes (Gr. 3, 1600m), and Cuddle Stakes (Gr. 3, 1600m). Owned by Te Akau 2018 Colt Breeding Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM).

Heat 25 Maiden 3YO 935 metres
(head, long neck 56.4)

Lightning Field (3 g Deep Field - Claudine) - Michael McNab;
progressed through to a handy position on the inner and got alongside the
leader comfortably for a well judged win.

His sire, Deep Field, is by ill-fated emerging stallion Northern Meteor (Encosta De Lago) who proved a huge loss to the Australian stallion ranks. Lightning Field is line-bred to some terrific sires: Sir Tristram, Mr. Prospector, and Northern Dancer. He was purchased by David Ellis for $95,000 from the 2018 Karaka Book 1 Sale and is raced by the Te Akau Fine Field Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM).

3 f Savabeel - Banchee - Troy Harris; was easy off the outside gate to settle last, tracked up five lengths 600m, and although finishing off the speed she quickened nicely in a heat where positions changed little.

Bred and owned by Sir Peter Vela, by five-time Champion Sire Savabeel (Zabeel), her dam, Banchee (Oratorio), was Champion Two-Year-Old with wins in the Diamond Stakes (Gr. 1, 1200m), and Matamata Breeders' Stakes (Gr. 2, 1200m), second in the Eclipse Stakes (Gr. 3, 1200m), and third in the Karaka Million (Restricted Listed, 1200m), during a juvenile season that had her earmarked for the Golden Slipper (Gr. 1, 1200m).

Heat 26 Open 1200 metres (1
length, 1 length 1:12.8)

Mongolianconqueror (5 g Ocean Park - Queen Rania) - Opie Bosson;
worked forward into sixth off a wide gate, five lengths 600m, and finished
strongly wide on the track without serious urging to photo-finish for third
(fourth).

Purchased for $130,000 by David Ellis, from the draft of Kiltannon Stables, at the 2016 New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sales, Mongolianconqueror is owned by the Inner Mongolia Rider Horse Industry (NZ) & Te Akau Conqueror Syndicate. He followed two wins with a second in the Waikato Guineas (Gr. 2, 2000m) and a nose away from providing Ocean Park (Thorn Park) with his first Group One winner in the 2018 New Zealand Derby (Gr. 1, 2400m). Although winless in five starts last season, he is a horse with good staying prospects.

Heat 27 Open 1200 metres (1 ½
lengths, short neck 1:13.5)

Swing Note (5 m Encosta De Lago - Andallthatjazz) - Michael McNab;
began well before steadying, seven lengths 600m, and quickened when asked in
the straight until running out of room and being eased.

Owned by the Te Akau Jazz Syndicate, David Ellis purchased Swing Note for $60,000 from the draft of Turangga Farm at the 2016 Gold Coast Yearling Sale, a sale where he also bought Champion Two-Year-Old finalist Gold Fever (Savabeel). Swing Note produced a thrilling victory in the Spring Classic (Listed, 2000m) last October at Riccarton (below), during a campaign that saw her win three times from five starts. She also had a very productive three-year-old season: following her Maiden victory with a third in the Zacinto Stakes (Listed, 1600m), fifth in the 1000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m) and fourth in the Lowland Stakes (Gr. 3, 2100m).

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