Te Akau Cambridge Trials' Report

Te Akau trialled horses at Cambridge on Tuesday 20 July -

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

Heat 10 Open 950 metres (nose, 2 ¼ lengths 55.5)

Duby  (4 m Ocean Park - Lost in Dubai) - Joe Kamaruddin; trailed fifth inner and she worked through nicely near the rail for third.

A recent winner on the course for owner/breeders Joe & Max Smithies at Monovale Farm, she is half-sister to former stable-mate Pinultimate (Pins), a winner of three from five.

Heat 15 2YO 800 metres (length, ½ a length 47.8)

Imperatriz (2 f I Am Invincible - Berimbau - below) - Danielle Johnson; trailed fourth from barrier one and she was never off the bridle finishing second.

Winner of her two starts this season, including the Eclipse Stakes (Gr. 2, 1200m), she was purchased by David Ellis in January at Gold Coast Yearling Sale 2020, from the draft of Bhima Thoroughbreds, owned by Te Akau Invincible Empress Racing Partnership (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM).

Avonallo (2 g Belardo - Real Angel) - Opie Bosson; began well from the outside gate before steadying second last, five lengths 600m, and he made good ground under his own steam for fourth.

Owned by Chris Rutten (Cavallo Farm) and Sam Williams (Little Avondale Stud), he provided the first NZ stakes' success for his sire when winning the Welcome Stakes (Listed, 1000m) before finishing third to stable-mate On The Bubble (Brazen Beau) in the Karaka Million 2YO (Restricted Listed, 1200m)

Ragamuffin (2 g Belardo - Short Tale) - Troy Harris; positioned midfield fifth and he held his spot in a quiet outing.

In training for Fortuna Ragamuffin Syndicate (Mgr: John Galvin), he won a trial in March at Cambridge.

Heat 16 2YO 800 metres (nose, 1 ¾ lengths 47.4)

Sword of State  (2 c Snitzel - In the Vanguard - below) - Opie Bosson; found cover fifth, travelled sweetly, and he quickened home easily to photo-finish for first.

The winner of four from five for Te Akau 2020 Four Colt Breeding Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM) and Brendan Lindsay MNZM and Jo Lindsay, including the Sistema Stakes (Gr. 1, 1200m) and Waikato Stud Slipper (Gr. 3, 1200m), he was bred by Sir Owen Glenn, prepared by Newgate Farm, and purchased for $600,000 by David Ellis CNZM at the Gold Coast Yearling Sale 2020. Future standing rights in the son of Snitzel were secured by Cambridge Stud.

Invincibeel  (2 f Savabeel - Matakana) - Danielle Johnson; began well to contest the pace and she travelled held throughout in a tidy trial for fourth.

Bred by Christopher Grace QSM, owned by Bill & Jim Gartshore, who have top mare Savy Yong Blonk (Savabeel) in the stable, she was purchased by David Ellis for $145,000, from the draft of Little Avondale Stud, at the 2020 Karaka Book 1 Sale.

Belle En Rouge (2 f Burgundy - Cavendish Belle) - Darren Danis; began well before steadying for cover, fourth inner, and unpressured finishing fifth.

Owned by Te Akau Beautiful in Red Racing Partnership (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM), she was bred by David Ellis CNZM & Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM.

Heat 17 2YO 800 metres (1 ½ lengths, ½ head 47.6)

Boomer  (2 g Iffraaj - Kate Cross) - Niranjan Parmar; got back third last, six length 600m, and he ran home nicely for fifth.

Owned by Te Akau Boom Boom Racing Partnership (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM), purchased by David Ellis for $200,000, from the draft of Windsor Park Stud, at the 2020 Karaka Book 1 Sale.

Millefiori  (2 f Iffraaj - Miss Bluebell) - Troy Harris; eased to last, eight lengths 600m, and she was held together in the straight.

Winner of two from three this season, owned by Te Akau Millefiori Racing Partnership (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM), she was purchased by David Ellis for $65,000 at the 2020 Karaka Book 2 Sale, from the draft of Archer Park.

Heat 18 2YO 800 metres (¾ lengths, 5 lengths 47.0)

Palamos (2 c Extreme Choice - Unrevealed) - Opie Bosson; began well from the outside gate before steadying, six lengths 600m, and never off the bridle finishing third.

Owned by Edmund Wong and winner of both his starts this season, he was purchased as a yearling by Te Akau principal David Ellis for $85,000 at the 2020 Karaka Book 1 Sale. From the first crop of dual Group One winning sprinter Extreme Choice (Not A Single Doubt).

Craving  (2 f Tivaci - Inscrutable) - Troy Harris; got back last off a wide draw, seven lengths 600m, she held her spot unpressured on the inner.

Owned by Kerrie & Rob Cox (KR Bloodstock), she is from the first crop of Waikato Stud stallion Tivaci (High Chaparral), winner of the All Aged Stakes (Gr. 1, 1400m) at Randwick, and out of a mare by Champion Broodmare Sire Encosta De Lago (Fairy King).

Heat 19 2YO 800 metres (2 lengths, 1 ½ lengths 47.2)

Pin Me Up  (2 f Pins - Brampton Loco) - Opie Bosson; began well, behind leaders rounding home turn, and never off the bridle finishing third.

By award winning stallion Pins (twice NZ leading sire for global progeny earnings), her dam, Brampton Loco (O'Reilly) is a half-sister to Group Two winner Pimms Time (Pins). Both are out of Zabeel (Sir Tristram) mare Brampton Legs.

Espionage (2 c Savabeel - Bayrock) - Troy Harris; missed the kick, back inner, and he ran home well for fourth when angled to out in the straight.

He was having his first trial for the Te Akau 2020 Four Colt Breeding Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM).

Heat 20 2YO 800 metres (½ head, long head 47.2)

Pisco Sour  (2 f I Am Invincible - Refreshing) - Danielle Johnson; camped on the leaders, fourth, and rider unmoved holding her spot.

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).

2 g Burgundy - Tad Infinitum  - Niranjan Parmar; was back and wide off an outside gate, six lengths 600m, and he stretched out into fifth.

Having his second trial for owner/breeders Sam Boyd, David Ellis, John Elstob, Karyn Fenton-Ellis, and Gilbert Southworth, he is by five-time stakes winner Burgundy (Redoute's Choice), a three-quarter brother to Darci Brahma (Danehill), each purchased as yearlings by David Ellis.

Excellerina (2 f Exceed and Excel - Addie Lane) - Troy Harris; dwelt at the start, pushed up inner, and she remained rearward.

Purchased by David Ellis in January at Gold Coast Yearling Sale 2020, from the draft of Segenhoe Stud, owned by Te Akau Excellerina Racing Partnership (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM).

Heat 21 2YO 800 metres (short neck, 2 ¾ lengths 47.5)

2 g Shamexpress - Spray  - Joe Kamaruddin; missed the start, back last, and he tracked through between runners with a big finish to win stylishly.

Bred by Windsor Park Stud and raced by Chris Rutten and Manoj Wanzare, he was having his first trial.

Pure Imagination (2 c Darci Brahma - Granadilla) - Opie Bosson; was easy from barrier one to settle midfield inner and he ran home near the rail for third.

Purchased by David Ellis last November at the Karaka Ready to Run Sale, from the draft of Lilywhites Lodge, he is by Champion five-time Group One winning stallion Darci Brahma (Danehill), whom Ellis also purchased.

Goddard (2 g Turn Me Loose - Turkey Lowe) - Troy Harris; settled between runners in midfield and unpressured holding his spot.

Having his second trial for owners Brendon McCullum ONZM, Damon Smith, Johnny Hague and Shane Ainsworth, from the first crop of triple Group One winner Turn Me Loose (Iffraaj).

Heat 22 2YO 800 metres (1 ¾ lengths, 2 lengths 47.0)

Quattro Quinta (2 g Darci Brahma - Quintette) - Opie Bosson; began smartly, pulled his way to lead, and did his work well to win comfortably.

Bred and owned by Karyn Fenton-Ellis (MNZM), Greg Tomlinson, David and Matthew Peacocke, and Oliver Saxton, he was twice a winner this season including the Wellesley Stakes (Listed, 1000m) and runner-up in the Fasttrack Insurance Stakes (Listed, 1100m).

Illicit Miss (2 f Hinchinbrook - Unlawful) - Niranjan Parmar; settled between runners in midfield and she ran home for fourth.

Owned by Te Akau Illicit Miss Racing Partnership (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM). From the last yearling crop of ill-fated stallion Hinchinbrook (Fastnet Rock), a three-quarter brother to four-time Champion Sire Snitzel (Redoute's Choice).

Armoury  (2 g Snitzel - Katie Lee) - Shaun McKay; chased a genuine pace fifth inner, but unable to quicken on the surface in the straight.

By Champion sire Snitzel, from history maker Katie Lee (Pins), winner of both the 1000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m) and 2000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m).

Heat 23 Open 800 metres (length, 1 ¼ lengths 47.1)

Entriviere (4 m Tavistock - Marcey's Belt - below) - Danielle Johnson; coursed handy but wide from the outside gate and she had plenty in the tank finishing second.

Owned by Te Akau Buckle Up Racing Partnership Karyn Fenton-Ellis (MNZM), she had an outstanding season winning five of her seven starts and twice finishing second. She included the Concorde Handicap (Gr. 3, 1200m), King's Plate (Gr. 3, 1200m), and finished her campaign finishing second in the Sapphire Stakes (Gr. 2, 1200m) at Randwick.

Avantage  (5 m Fastnet Rock - Asavant - below) - Opie Bosson; began well to sit second and she was held together finishing third.

She was purchased by Te Akau principal David Ellis CNZM for $210,000 at the 2017 New Zealand Bloodstock Premier Sale, and her 16 wins from 27 starts have amassed $2.1 million prize money for Te Akau Avantage Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM). Her five Group One wins this season took her tally to nine Group Ones in total.

Shezathinka (5 m So You Think - Headsup) - Joe Kamaruddin; was handy inner on slow early tempo and she ran home well on the bridle for fourth.

Winner of two, including a five length victory over 2200 metres, she is owned by the Te Akau Think Fast Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM), purchased by David Ellis for $175,000 at the 2017 New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sale, from the draft of Kilgravin Lodge.

Perfect Scenario (3 g Iffraaj - Rosetti Bay) - Niranjan Parmar; was handy inner on slow early tempo, got back nearing the home turn and good amongst runners through the line.

Twice a winner this season and third in the Waikato Guineas (Gr. 2, 2000m), he was purchased by David Ellis for $165,000 at the 2019 Karaka Book 1 Sale, from the draft of Woburn Farm, for owners in the Te Akau Perfection Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM).

Kahma Lass  (3 f Darci Brahma - Distinctive Lass) - Craig Grylls; got back last in a compact field and held together while travelling well in tight quarters.

She had a terrific first campaign, culminating in becoming the fifth 1000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m) winner for Te Akau. Owned by Brendan Lindsay MNZM & Jo Lindsay at Cambridge Stud, she was purchased by David Ellis for $290,000 at the Karaka 2019 Book 1 Sale, from the draft of Curraghmore Stud.

Amarelinha  (3 f Savabeel - Hopscotch) - Troy Harris; was handy but wide off an outside gate, got back last nearing the home turn, and never off the bridle getting home wide out in a compact field.

The New Zealand Bloodstock Filly of the Year, winner of five from seven, she followed two Group Two and a Group Three win with victory in the New Zealand Oaks (Gr. 1, 2400m). Purchased by David Ellis for $300,000 at the 2019 Karaka Book 1 Sale, from the draft of Waikato Stud and owned by the Te Akau Hopskip'n'jump Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM).

Heat 24 Open 800 metres (2 ½ lengths, 1 ¾ lengths 47.2)

Cornflower Blue  (3 f Savbeel - Tiffany Yellow) - Craig Grylls; went forward into second approaching the 600m and she held her position comfortably on the bridle.

Owned and bred by Waikato Stud, she had a terrific season winning the Barnswood Farm Stakes (Gr. 3, 1400m), finishing third to stable-mate Kahma Lass (Darci Brahma) in the 1000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m), and third in the Wellington Guineas (Gr. 2, 1400m).

Probabeel  (4 m Savabeel - Far Fetched) - Opie Bosson; began well to secure third and she finished strongly while holding her spot.

Purchased by David Ellis CNZM for $380,000 as a yearling at Karaka, from the draft of Waikato Stud, Probabeel has now won 10 of her 23 starts, including seven seconds, and NZ$3.3 million prize money for owners Brendan Lindsay MNZM and Jo Lindsay (Cambridge Stud). This season, she won the Epsom Handicap (Gr. 1, 1600m), Futurity Stakes (Gr. 1, 1400m), Bill Ritchie Handicap (Gr. 3, 1400m), Geoffrey Bellmaine Stakes (Gr. 3, 1200m), and finished second in the Show County (Gr. 3, 1200m) and Queen of the Turf Stakes (Gr. 1, 1600m).

Prise De Fer  (5 g Savabeel - Foiled) - Niranjan Parmar; trailed fourth from barrier one, five lengths 600m, and never off the bridle when running home strongly for fourth.

Owned by the Te Akau En Guarde Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM), purchased by David Ellis for $100,000, from the draft of Trelawney Stud, at the 2017 New Zealand Bloodstock Premier Yearling Sale. The winner of seven, including Group Two & Three, and Group One placed, has won $312,675 prize money.

Festivity  (4 g I Am Invincible - Mabsam) - Troy Harris; eased for cover from a wide draw, five lengths 600m, and he worked home fine for fifth in a heat where positions changed little.

Winning five from eight, and fourth most recently to stable-mate Entriviere (Tavistock) in the King's Plate (Gr. 3, 1200m), she was purchased by David Ellis for $410,000 at the 2018 Karaka Book 1 Sale, from the draft of Windsor Park Stud, and owned by the Te Akau 2018 Fabulous Fillies Breeding Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM).

Navalha (3 g Sebring - Afiado) - Joe Kamaruddin; got back last after dwelling at the start, eight lengths 600m, and he worked home okay near the rail in a heat where positions changed little.

Owned by Fortuna Navalha Syndicate (Mgr: John Galvin), he has won two of his three starts since joining the stable.

Seajetz  (3 g Iffraaj - Bellazeel) - Danielle Johnson; was easy off the outside gate, six lengths 600m, back to last turn, and he was good through the line as a staying horse over a sprint trip.

Owned by Bill and Sandra Duell, he was purchased by David Ellis CNZM for $100,000 at the 2019 Karaka Book 1 Sale, from the draft of Trelawney Stud, and twice a winner during his first campaign.

Heat 25 Maiden 800 metres (short head, short neck 47.8)

Rip Van Gogh (3 g Rip Van Winkle - On the Move) - Joe Kamaruddin; worked through to third nearing the 600m and once angled clear he finished strongly into third.

A trial winner and race placed in December, he was purchased by David Ellis for $122,500 at the 2019 New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sale, from the draft of Phoenix Park, and owned by Te Akau Fast Action Racing Partnership (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM).

Heat 26 Maiden 800 metres (long neck, 1 ½ lengths 47.2)

Flat Track Bully (3 g Reliable Man - Lime Squeeze) - Niranjan Parmar; chased along in third from barrier one and he finished smartly to win with a well timed run.

In training for owner/breeders Rod Duke and Gerard Petersen (Gee Gee Equine), he carries a Northern Dancer and Mr. Prospector cross, from a mare by leading sire Exceed and Excel (Danehill).

Heat 27 Maiden 800 metres (short neck, lengths 47.5)

La Flora Belle  (3 f Iffraaj - Tsarina Belle) - Danielle Johnson; settled off the leading three and never off the bridle she ran home under her own steam for fourth.

A three-quarter sister to former stable-mate and dual Horse of the Year Melody Belle, winner of 14 Group One races, both bred by Marie Leicester, she is owned by Marie, Maryanne Robertson, Catheryne Roselli, Louise Beard, Angela Finucane, Jackie Morgan, Martin Marshall, and Heather Mabin.