Te Akau Cambridge Trials' Report

Te Akau trialled horses at Cambridge on Tuesday 20 April 2021 -

Weather: cloudy, track: synthetic, rail: true.

Heat 1 Open 1300 metres (short neck, length 1:17.0)

Lucky Shark (4 g Darci Brahma - Shamardal Luck) - Nitin Parmar; was caught three wide and kept finding to finish third.

A winner from four starts, and consistent throughout his second campaign, owned by Matt Allenby, Deborah Charlton, Michael Clemenger, Matt Fitzgerald, Steve & Kristy Mace, Chris Russell, Jason Simcocks and Dave Taylor. His half-brother Shocking Luck (Shocking) was trained by Te Akau to finish second in the Waikato Guineas (Gr. 2, 2000m) before winning the Rough Habit Plate (Gr. 3, 2000m) at Doomben, Brisbane, and subsequently sold to Hong Kong. He was purchased by David Ellis CNZM for $200,000 at the 2018 New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sale, from the draft of Phoenix Park.

Heat 5 Open 950 metres (2 lengths, ¾ lengths 54.0)

Phantom Witness (4 g Star Witness - Fandom) - Opie Bosson; got back last from a wide draw, 11 lengths 600m, and closed the margin considerably with a big finish for third.

The winner of two from five and never further back than fourth, he finished second in the Rating 74 1200 metres on Easter Saturday (3 April) at Ellerslie. Purchased by David Ellis CNZM for $60,000 at the 2018 New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sale, from the draft of Lyndhurst Farm, owned by the Te Akau Phantom Witness Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM), he breezed-up in the top 10% times and naturally athletic.

Heat 6 Open 950 metres (short head, short neck 54.0)

Speed of Light (3 f Proisir - Light Source) - Joe Kamaruddin; posted three wide third, she ran on without threatening over a sprint trip.

She hardly put a foot wrong in five starts before winning the Maiden 1600 metres on 17 February at Te Aroha. By Leading Second Season Sire Proisir (Choisir), she is from a young Iffraaj mare, the same as dual Horse of the Year and national Group One record-holder (14) Melody Belle (Commands). Owned by the Te Akau Leading Light Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM), she was purchased by David Ellis CNZM for $37,500 at the 2019 Karaka Book 1 Sale, from the draft of Fairdale Stud.

Heat 7 Open 950 metres (nose, ¾ lengths 54.4)

Supreme Khan (3 g Mongolian Khan - Angelica Hall) - Joe Kamaruddin; began well from a wide gate, three wide third 600m, and did his work nicely without pressure for second.

He has registered two wins and two seconds from five starts. Owned by Shaw's Property Holdings, Te Akau Supreme Khan Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM) & Tale to Tell Syndicate, he was purchased by David Ellis CNZM 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. Te Akau trained his impressive dual winning dam Angelica Hall (Guillotine).

High Achiever (4 g Pins - Thee Achiever) - Nitin Parmar; missed the start by four lengths, on the bridle six lengths 600m, and held together while making good progress for fifth.

Winner of three from six, he has confirmed his natural ability winning fresh-up three times over 1200 metres. Owned by the Te Akau High Achievers' Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM), purchased by David Ellis CNZM 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, including 1000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m) winner The Jewel (O'Reilly). His dam won three times to 2100m.

Heat 8 Open 950 metres (long head, long head 54.3)

Need I Say More (3 g No Nay Never - Bo Bardi) - Opie Bosson; began well from the outside gate and posted wide, but calmly asserted in the straight to gain ascendency on the line.

The winner of seven (six stakes wins) from nine starts, his two most recent starts produced victories in the Mufhasa Fasttrack Stakes (Listed, 1300m) on Derby Day (7 March) at Ellerslie, and Wellington Guineas (Gr. 2, 1400m) on Oaks Day at Trentham. He was purchased by David Ellis CNZM for $130,000, from the draft of Kilgravin Lodge, at the 2019 Karaka Book 1 Sale, and owned by the Te Akau Never Say Die Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM). By a record-breaking two-year-old and Champion First Crop Sire, No Nay Never is by Scat Daddy who sired 2018 Triple Crown winner Justify. Dam, Bo Bardi, is by Champion Sire Fastnet Rock (Danehill).

Vincere (4 m Pins - Lasting Luck) - Danielle Johnson; got back to last off a wide gate, six lengths 600m, and she kept closing strongly without urging for third.

Perfectly placed to advance, she registered two wins and two seconds from four starts in her last campaign, ending with a win in the Rating 65 1400 metres on 9 January at Awapuni. Purchased by David Ellis CNZM for $115,000 at the 2018 Karaka Book 1 Sale, from the draft of Waikato Stud, and owned by David and Hamish Coleman.

Heat 11 Maiden 950 metres (nose, 10 lengths 53.9)

3 g Pure Champion - Katorie - Joe Kamaruddin; got back seventh of eight, five lengths 600m, rounded off for fifth and he was good through the line.

Bred by Mike and Barbara Cooney (Willowbank Stud, Waimate), by their young resident stallion Pure Champion (Footstepsinthesand), a black type winner in Europe, Asia, and New Zealand, he is the first foal from race winner Katorie (Keeper), in turn from Volksraad (Green Desert) mare Boston Babe, and family of NZ Cup (Gr. 3, 3200m) winner My Scotsgrey (Golan). He is raced by Weston Lea Bloodstock and Te Akau Stud.

Heat 12 Maiden 950 metres (head, ¾ lengths 54.7)

Ocean Gail (3 f Ocean Park - Bunyah) - Opie Bosson; situated handily on a competitive pace and not far away in fifth at the line.

In training for owner/breeder Joan Egan, she is a half-sister to Group One winner Sword of Osman (Savabeel), who was purchased by David Ellis CNZM as a yearling at Karaka. Dam Bunyah (Distant View) has left six winners of 21 races.

Heat 13 Maiden 950 metres (¾ lengths, 5 ¾ lengths 54.3)

Soprano Supreme (3 f Contributer - Falsetto) - Danielle Johnson; began well to trail, poked up inner turn, and she ran home well for second.

Owned by the Fortuna Soprano Supreme Syndicate (Mgr: John Galvin), she was purchased by David Ellis CNZM for $62,500, from the draft of Te Runga Stud, at the 2019 Karaka Book 1 Sale. 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), her dam, Falsetto, by legendary stallion Zabeel (Sir Tristram), was an impressive three-time winner from 1600m - 2100m and placed in the NZ Oaks (Gr. 1, 2400m).

Heat 15 2YO 950 metres (short neck, 4 lengths 54.1)

Polly Plum (2 f Xtravagant - Herstory) - Danielle Johnson; showed gate speed to race outside the leader and she cruised up in the straight without urging to win.

She ran home well for fourth on debut in January at Matamata. Purchased by David Ellis CNZM at Gold Coast Yearling Sale 2020, from the draft of Newhaven Park, owned by Te Akau Enfranchise Racing Partnership (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM). A filly from the first crop by Xtravagant (Pentire), trained by Te Akau to win the 2000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m) in breathtaking fashion by eight and a half lengths, in a staggering 1:33.59, last 600m in 33.04, to establish a new race record and become the fifth of six 2000 Guineas winners for Te Akau. He now stands at Newhaven Park, N.S.W., in Australia. The dam of the filly, Herstory, won three races to 1400 metres in Australia, including a debut victory over 1200 metres as a two-year-old. She is by Danehill stallion Commands, the sire of reigning dual Horse of the Year and Te Akau star mare Melody Belle (ex. Meleka Belle, by Iffraaj), with 14 Group One wins.

Heat 16 2YO 950 metres (1 ½ lengths, 2 ¾ lengths 53.9)

Savito (2 f Savabeel - Suavito) - Opie Bosson; got back off the outside gate, five lengths 600m, and she circled widest with a big finish to win stylishly.

In training for owner/breeder Garry Chittick (Waikato Stud), a filly by Cox Plate (Gr. 1, 2040m) winning three-year-old Savabeel (Zabeel), a six-time Champion Sire and resident at Waikato Stud, that proved himself as one of the most versatile stallions in Australasia. Her dam, dual Group One winner Sauvito (Thorn Park) was renowned for her tough and determined qualities which saw her score at the highest level in two weight-for-age events over 1400m at Caulfield: Futurity Stakes (Gr. 1, 1400m) and C F Orr Stakes (Gr. 1, 1400m). She won additional group races in the Blamey Stakes (Gr. 2, 1600m), Matriarch Stakes (Gr. 2, 2000m) and Tesio Stakes (Gr. 3, 1600m).

Heat 17 2YO 950 metres (head, ¾ lengths 54.9)

Sweet Taboo (2 g Turn Me Loose - Sade) - Opie Bosson; was caught three wide in fifth, ranged four wide rounding the home turn, and finished just off them after a tough trip.

Purchased by David Ellis CNZM last November at the Karaka Ready to Run Sale, from the draft of Woburn Farm, he is a half-brother to recent Desert Gold Stakes (Gr. 1, 1600m) winner Force of Will (Power). The first crop of triple Group One winner Turn Me Loose: 2000 Guineas (1600m), Emirate Stakes (1600m), and Futurity Stakes (1400m), by sire of sires Iffraaj (Zafonic), he is from the family of Japan Cup winner Horlicks (Three Legs), and Melbourne Cup winner Brew (Sir Tristram).

Heat 18 Maiden 800 metres (5 ¾ lengths, head 46.6)

3 f Atlante - Omnia - Danielle Johnson; got back second last off the outside gate, seven lengths 600m, and she quickened nicely over the concluding stages into fifth.

Having her first trial for breeder/owner Paul Ryan, she is by ill-fated stallion Atlante (Fastnet Rock), the sire of stakes winner and Group Two placed stable-mates Star of Bombay and four-time winner Mai Tai. Her winning dam, Omnia (Grosvenor), has left two winners of four races.

Heat 19 Maiden 800 metres (2 ¾ lengths, 2 ½ lengths 46.3)

3 f Proisir - La Chiflota - Nitin Parmar; began awkwardly, got back last, six lengths 600m, and she stretched out nicely in the straight for fourth.

Having her first trial for Joe and Max Smithies (Monovale Farm), she is a half-sister to winning stable-mate Ginger Too (Iffraaj). La Chiflota (Hussonet) was a Group One winner and Champion 2YO Filly in Chile.

Heat 20 Maiden 800 metres (4 lengths, 1 ¼ lengths 45.7)

Ilikitt (3 f Alamosa - Miss Kitt Ann) - Joe Kamaruddin; got back second last off a wide gate, five lengths 600m, and she ran home strongly for third.

Having her first trial for Kevin and Patrick Landrigan (Anzac Breeding Partnership), she is by quadruple Group One winner Alamosa (O'Reilly), sire of horses to win 620 races, 18 stakes winners, including Group One winners On the Rocks, Stolen Dance, and Kirramosa. From a tremendous family, going back to outstanding racehorse and sire Grosvenor (Sir Tristram) and top-class multiple group winning race mare La Sizeranne (Stravinsky), out of grand-dam Tricia Ann (Zabeel).

Heat 21 2YO 800 metres (3 lengths, 4 lengths 46.0)

2 f Astern - Landslide - Danielle Johnson; got back to last off the outside gate, eight lengths 600m, and although held up back in the field she rallied home strongly over the concluding stages.

Purchased by David Ellis CNZM for $45,000 from the draft of Jamieson Park at the 2020 Karaka Book 1 Sale, she is raced by Hawridge Developments Ltd.  From the first crop of Group One winner Astern (Medaglia d'Oro), her dam Landslide is by the world renowned sire of sires and broodmare sire More Than Ready (Southern Halo).

Heat 22 2YO 800 metres (head, long head 46.1)

Memoire Parfait (2 g Tavistock - Bagalollies) - began well to race handily in a competitive heat and bred for considerably further he finished fifth over a sprint trip.

Purchased privately by David Ellis CNZM for Mr. Edmund Wong, he is a fine specimen colt by dual Group One winner Tavistock (Montjeu), out of dual New Zealand Broodmare of the Year Bagalollies, and a brother to Hong Kong Horse of the Year Werther and New Zealand Cup winner Gobstopper. Bagalollies is the dam of four individual winners (28 wins), including 10 Group victories.

Heat 23 2YO 800 metres (long head, 2 ¼ lengths 46.5)

Pisco Sour (2 f I Am Invincible - Refreshing) - Danielle Johnson; began well to position handily inner, baulked and held up 600m, she recovered well and went to the line nicely in third.

In training for Brent & Cherry Taylor (Trelawney Stud), by brilliant sprinter and the Leading Sire in Australia, I Am Invincible (Invincible Spirit), she is out of a mare by Golden Slipper (Gr. 1, 1200m) winner Stratum (Redoute's Choice).

Heat 24 2YO 800 metres (long head, ½ a length 46.4)

2 g Burgundy - Corsage - Opie Bosson; travelled wide in fifth on a competitive pace and he worked nicely into fourth.

Having his first trial for owner/breeders Sam Boyd, David Ellis CNZM, John Elstob, Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM, Gilbert Southworth, Mark Walker and GN and CM Bloodstock, he is by five-time stakes' winning stallion Burgundy (Redoute's Choice), a three-quarter brother to Darci Brahma (Danehill), both purchased as yearlings by Ellis. He is a half-brother to Group Two winner and multiple Group placed stable-mate Aotea Lad (Savabeel).

Corsage (Volksraad), from Spray (Entrepreneur), in turn from the great race mare Seamist (Beaufort Sea), was purchased by Ellis for $25,000. A winner on debut and Joint Second Top Filly on the 2008-09 2YO Free Handicaps, Corsage placed in both the Diamond Stakes (Gr. 1, 1200m) and Matamata Breeders' Stakes (Gr. 2, 1200m) as a two-year-old, with stakes placed finishes in the Ray Coupland Stakes (Listed, 1400m), Sunline Vase (Listed, 2100m), and fourth in the 2000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m). Transferred to Mark Walker in Singapore, she won a further two races and increased her stakes earnings to $270,000.