Te Akau Cambridge Trials' Report

Te Akau trialled horses at Cambridge on Tuesday 22 June 2021

Weather: fine, track: poly-track, rail: true.

Heat 11 2YO 800 metres (1 ¼ lengths, 2 ¼ lengths 46.8)

2 f Rock ‘n' Pop - Lady Masako - Niranjan Parmar; chased a three-way pace, travelled up nicely approaching the home turn and she sustained a good gallop for third.

Having her first trial for owner/breeders in Te Akau Cherry Blossom Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM), by Fastnet Rock (Danehill) stallion Rock ‘n' Pop, trained by Te Akau to win the 2000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m) and runner-up NZ Derby (Gr. 1, 2400m), she is the first foal from Iffraaj (Zafonic) mare Lady Masako, and the family of second top Two-Year-Old Lady Bay (Kingdom Bay), dam of Championship Stakes (Gr. 2, 2100m) winner Let's Cruise (Zabeel).

Heat 12 2YO 800 metres (3 ¼ lengths, long neck 46.6)

2 f Belardo - Awakening - Danielle Johnson; began well to secure fourth and she ran home well for third.

Having her first trial for owner/breeder Ben Kwok, by Lope De Vega (Shamardal) stallion Belardo, whose NZ first stakes' winner was subsequent Karaka Million 2YO (Restricted Listed, 1200m) placed Avonallo (2 c Real Angel, by O'Reilly), trained by Jamie Richards. She is the first foal of sprint winner Awakening (Per Incanto).

Heat 13 2YO 800 metres (head, 1 ¼ lengths 46.6)

2 f Rock ‘n' Pop - Molly Coco - Niranjan Parmar; got back last on the inner, four lengths 600m, and she tracked through between horses with a good effort for fourth.

Having her first trial for owner/breeder Aquataine Bloodstock, by versatile 2000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m) winning stallion Rock ‘n' Pop (Fastnet Rock), whose progeny have won 155 races, from Savabeel (Zabeel) mare Molly Coco, who has left three individual winners of nine races.

Amalfi Prince (2 g Sebring - Campania) - Danielle Johnson; travelled among the rear three, four lengths 600m, and he worked home in the straight for fifth.

Having his first trial for Te Akau Spirit Racing Partnership (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM), he was purchased by David Ellis CNZM for $90,000, from Ohukia Lodge, at the 2020 New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sale. He is by Golden Slipper (Gr. 1, 1200m) winner Sebring (More Than Ready), from a mare that won six races (1100m - 1900m) in Australia.

Heat 14 2YO 800 metres (1 ½ lengths, long head 46.4)

2 f Rock ‘n' Pop - Paixanito - Niranjan Parmar; got back on the inner from barrier one, three lengths 600m, checked stride briefly, and he ran on okay for fifth.

A home bred for David Ellis CNZM and Karyn Fenton Ellis MNZM, by Fastnet Rock (Danehill) stallion Rock ‘n' Pop, trained by Te Akau to win the 2000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m) and runner-up NZ Derby (Gr. 1, 2400m), from Zabeel (Sir Tristram) mare Paixanito, a winner over 1600 metres, dam of three winners of 15 races including stakes winner and placed Captain Todd (Captain Rio).

Got It in One (2 g Savabeel - Got it) - Danielle Johnson; began well to trail third and he quickened through near the rail for close third.

Having his first trial for Te Akau Got the Goods Racing Partnership (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM), he was purchased by David Ellis CNZM at the Karaka 2020 Book 1 Sale, from the draft of Waikato Stud. By their six-time Champion Sire Savabeel (Zabeel), from Pins (Snippets) mare Got It, the family of four-time Group One winner Sacred Falls (O'Reilly), and bred on the same cross as Horse of the Year contender Probabeel (Savabeel). From the same family, Te Akau also bought and trained Splurge (Savabeel), who numbered Group Two and Group Three victories among eight wins, which included three in succession.

Heat 15 Maiden 800 metres (3 lengths, 2 ½ lengths 46.3)

3 f Excelebration - Midnight Van Damme - Niranjan Parmar; got back last, among horses five lengths 600m, improved rounding the home turn and she stretched out well for second.

Having her first trial for owner/breeder Bill Hurlstone, by Exceed and Excel (Danehill) stallion Excelebration, sire of 19 stakes winners including four Group One, she is the first foal from Van Nistelrooy (Storm Cat) mare Midnight Van Damme, a talented race mare that won three times from 1300m - 2000m and placed in eight. The filly carries a strong influence of immortal sire Northern Dancer.