Te Akau Ellerslie Trials' Report

Te Akau trialled horses at Ellerslie on Tuesday 14 July

Weather: showery, track: Slow9, rail: true

Heat 3 Open 900 metres

Aotea Lad (3 g Savabeel - Corsage) - Opie Bosson; began well from a
wide draw, tracked around in midfield and not asked too much in a quiet trial
outing.

A nominee for Champion Two-Year-Old, won for the last three years by Te Akau stars Melody Belle (Commands), Avantage (Fastnet Rock) and Yourdeel (Dundeel), Aotea Lad had a terrific two-year-old season. Winning the Wakefield Stakes (Gr. 2, 1100m) on debut, he finished second in the Eclipse Stakes (Gr. 3, 1200m), second to stable-mate Probabeel (Savabeel) in the Karaka Million (Restricted Listed, 1200m) and second to Yourdeel (Dundeel) in the Matamata Slipper (Gr. 3, 1200m). Owned by the Te Akau Love Life Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM) and purchased by David Ellis CNZM for $200,000, from the draft of Phoenix Park, at the 2018 Karaka Book 1 Sale.

Heat 5 2YO 700 metres

Perfect Scenario (2 g Iffraaj - Rosetti Bay) - Chad Ormsby; began
well to travel third in the open and produced an eye-catching performance to
finish third.

By a high-quality stallion with 20 Group 1 winners and 121 stakes' winners worldwide, his dam, Rosetti Bay (Pins), was an impressive Group 3 winner and multiple Group placed mare that won eight races and already left very good stakes' winner Queen's Rose (O'Reilly) who also won eight. He was purchased by David Ellis CNZM 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).

Vitani (2 f Pins - Queen of Lions) - Chelsea Burdan; got back on the inner over a sprint trip.  

In training for owner-breeder
Tony Rider (Milan Park Stud), by champion racehorse and sire Pins (Snippets),
her dam, Queen of Lions (King of Kings), is a half-sister to Victoria Derby
(Gr. 1, 2500m) and Underwood Stakes (Gr. 1, 1800m) winner Lion Tamer (Storming
Home) and impressive six-time winner Let Me Roar (Rip Van Winkle). Her fourth
dam is triple Group 1 winner Blue Denim: Auckland Cup, Tancred Stakes, and
Queen Elizabeth.

Heat 6 2YO 700 metres

Rip Van Gogh (2 g Rip Van Winkle - On the Move) - Opie Bosson;
tracked along in fifth before working home solidly for second.

Purchased by David Ellis CNZM 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). By Rip Van Winkle (Galileo), the sire of dual Group 1 winning stable-mate Te Akau Shark, he is the first foal from a mare by exceptional Australian broodmare sire More Than Ready (Southern Halo). Renowned the world over, More Than Ready is one the best sire of winners (3363) worldwide and also an outstanding sire of sires.

Be Flexi (2 f No Nay Never - Isabelino) - Craig Grylls; raced
outside the leader and kept giving under a hand ride to finish a close third.

In training for Dr. Gene Tsoi, for whom Te Akau trained New Zealand Bloodstock Filly of the Year King's Rose (Redoute's Choice). No Nay Never (Scat Daddy) is also the sire of stable-mate Need I Say More, winner of two from two including the Waikato Stud Slipper (Gr. 3, 1200m). Be Flexi is from a mare (Isabelino) by current leading Australian Broodmare Sire (wins) and Champion Sire Encosta De Lago (Fairy King). Isabelino has left two winners of seven races.

Wishing Well (2 f Charm Spirit - Starwish) - Chad Ormsby;
over-raced a touch early before travelling on the bridle and nicely held in
fifth.

Bred and owned by James Chapman
at Jamieson Park, sponsor of the Auckland Guineas (Gr. 2, 1600m), she was a
trial winner in March at Matamata, and having her first outing for the stable.
She is from the second crop of triple Group 1 winner Charm Spirit (Invincible
Spirit), from a Redoute's Choice mare that has left five winners of 15 races.

Heat 7 2YO 700 metres

Fashion Shoot (2 f Savabeel - High Fashion) - Diego Montes de Oca;
away smartly from barrier one, she railed well and rallied solidly when asked
to extend, finishing a close second.

Owned by the Te Akau In Vogue Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn-Fenton Ellis), she was purchased by David Ellis CNZM for $320,000, from the draft of Waikato Stud, at the NZB 2019 Karaka Book 1 Sale. By five-time Champion Sire Savabeel (Zabeel), with 177 stakes' winners, including 35 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).

Seajetz (2 g Iffraaj - Bellazeel) - Opie Bosson; tracked clear from third entering the home straight and kept up a strong gallop under minimal pressure for third.

By a high-quality stallion with
20 Group 1 winners and 121 stakes winners worldwide, his dam, Bellazeel
(Zabeel), was a quality staying mare that impressed winning over 2100 metres,
while grand-dam La Bella Dama (Desert Sun) has left six individual winners of 28
races and over NZ$2.5m in prize money. 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.

Heat 8 2YO 700 metres

Supreme Khan (2 g Mongolian Khan - Angelica Hall) - Danielle
Johnson; camped behind the leading division, angled clear on straightening and
finished strongly among a tight line of four.

Owned by Shaw's Property Holdings, Te Akau Supreme Khan Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM) & Tale to Tell Syndicate, she 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 1 wins in the NZ Derby, ATC Derby, and Caulfield Cup, while Te Akau trained his impressive dual-winning dam Angelica Hall (Guillotine).

Felicienne (2 f Savabeel - Flavigny) - Opie Bosson; began well to race handily and asserted solidly in the straight to finish inside a line of four.

Owned by the Te Akau Flarabeel
Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM), she was purchased by David Ellis CNZM
for $190,000 at the 2019 Karaka Book 1 Sale, from the draft of Windsor Park. By
Cox Plate (Gr. 1, 2040m) winning three-year-old and five-time Champion Sire
Savabeel (Zabeel), she is from a young mare by successful sire Mastercraftsman
(Danehill Dancer).

Heat 9 2YO 700 metres

Hoity Toity (2 f Makfi - Sopra Tutto) - Danielle Johnson; tracked
the leading division and finished strongly in eye-catching fashion for third.

In training for Waikato Stud, she
was purchased from the Pencarrow draft at Karaka. Her sire, Makfi (Dubawi), was a British bred, French
trained, 2000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m) winner. Notably, Makfi has sired NZ Horse
of the Year Bonneval, and New Zealand Filly of the Year Sofia Rosa. Hoity Toity
is a sister to Ethereal Stakes (Gr. 3, 2000m) and Sunline Vase (Gr. 3, 2100m)
winner Eleonora, and, coincidentally, their grand-dam and Champion Stayer
Ethereal (Rhythm) won of the Queensland Oaks, Caulfield Cup, and Melbourne Cup.
It is a fantastic Pencarrow Stud family, going back to Hong Kong International
Cup winner Romanee Conti (Sir Tristram), and includes Champion Stallion Darci
Brahma (Danehill) and stallion Burgundy (Redoute's Choice), both bought by
David Ellis CNZM. 

Te Akau Ben (2 g Tavistock - Danalaga) - Opie Bosson; was caught in the worst of the going on the inner from barrier one, but rallied strongly and not far away at the line.

He was purchased by David Ellis CNZM for $115,000 at the 2019 Karaka Book 1 Sale, from the draft of Curraghmore Stud. Bred by Raffles Racing and owned by Ben Kwok and Te Akau Stud, his dam Danalaga has left four winners of 17 races, including New Zealand Oaks (Gr. 1, 2400m) winner More Than Sacred (More Than Ready) who also won the Sunline Vase (Gr. 3, 2100m) and Waikato Cup (Gr. 3, 2400m).

Heat 10 2YO 700 metres

Miss Aotearoa (2 f Per Incanto - Danex) - Opie Bosson; began well
to share the pace in a line of three and never flinched, with her head in front
at the line.

Owned and bred by Tony Rider (Milan Park), she is a half-sister to Matriarch Stakes' (Gr. 2, 2000m) and dual listed winner Oceanex (Ocean Park), while dam Danex (Danasinga) has left nine winners of 21 races.

The Panther (2 g Iffraaj - La Panthere) - Diego Montes de Oca; raced outside a line of three on pace and responded well late in the piece to photo-finish for a close second.

Owned by the Te Akau Fiery Red Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM), purchased by David Ellis CNZM for $60,000, from the Wentwood Grange draft, at the 2019 Karaka Book 1 Sale. Bred on the same cross as Gingernuts - by Iffraaj, out of a Generous mare - trained by Te Akau to win the NZ Derby (Gr. 1, 2400m), Rosehill Guineas (Gr. 1, 2000m), and Windsor Park Plate (Gr. 1, 1600m). Iffraaj (Zafonic) is also the dam sire of stable star and Horse of the Year Melody Belle (Commands), winner of 10 Group 1 races and history-maker when winning the Hawkes Bay Triple Crown.

Heat 11 Maiden 700 metres

Shezawinkle (3 f Rip Van Winkle - Shezagem) - Chelsea Burdan;
travelled on pace from barrier two and fought hard for second.

Bred in partnership by Oliver
Saxton (Waihi Livestock) and owned with David and Matt Peacocke (Weston Lea
Bloodstock), her dam, Sheza Gem (Danehill) has left four individual winners of 10
races.

Vincere (3 f Pins - Lasting Luck) - Opie Bosson; shared the pace and kept going strongly under minimal urging to photo-finish for third.

A trial winner in October at Te Teko, she was purchased by David Ellis for $115,000 at the 2018 Karaka Book 1 Sale, from the draft of Waikato Stud, and is owned by David and Hamish Coleman.

Greedy (3 f Savabeel - Indulge) - Danielle Johnson; tracked the leaders before getting home strongly over the concluding stages to photo-finish for third.

In training for Waikato Stud, the
first foal from an unraced mare by Pins (Snippets), she is a three-quarter sister
to Te Akau trained Group 2 & 3 winner Splurge (Savabeel), from Group 3
winner and Group 1 placed Splashing Out (O'Reilly), and the family of ill-fated
Waikato Stud stallion Sacred Falls (O'Reilly).

3 f Charm Spirit - Applauding - Chad Ormsby; was back and wide off the outside gate and maintained a solid gallop without being unable make ground.  

Owned and bred by Adam Pascoe and Windsor Park Stud, from the first crop of triple Group 1 winner Charm Spirit (Invincible Spirit), standing at Windsor Park, she is from a Pentire mare, in turn from Easter Handicap (Gr. 1, 1600m) winner and subsequent talented producer Honor Bound (Honor Grades).

Heat 12 Maiden 700 metres

Lethal (3 g Savabeel - Katie Lee) - Opie Bosson; covered extra
ground getting to the outside on straightening and kept up a strong gallop for
second.

Freshened following a spring campaign from the base at Riccarton, Lethal produced a notable effort for third on 20 March at Avondale. By five-time Champion Sire Savabeel (Zabeel), his dam, Katie Lee (Pins), became the first horse in history to win both the 2000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m) and 1000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m).

3 f Rip Van Winkle - Frivolous - Chad Ormsby; was held together on pace and remained under a hold in finishing fourth.

She is in training for Windsor
Park Stud. Standing at Windsor Park, Rip Van Winkle (Galileo) is the sire of
dual Group 1 winning stable-mate Te Akau Shark. Frivolous (Black Minnaloushe)
made a winning debut and possessed a turn-of-foot on good ground. Her grand-dam
is the talented and beautifully bred race-mare Greta Hall (Kaapstad -
Lovenvain). 

Uber Roca (3 f El Roca - Uberfrau) - Diego Montes de Oca; raced handily on the inner and fought hard in the worst of the going for a close fifth.

Owned by David and Matt Peacocke, Oliver Saxton, Mark and Paul Apatu, and MJ Fox, she is from the first crop by El Roca (Fastnet Rock), sire of Group 1 winner Travelling Light (Levin Classic, 1600m). Through her sire line, she carries a cross of immortal stallion Northern Dancer.

Heat 13 Maiden 700 metres

Vamos Bebe (3 f I Am Invincible - Hurtle Myrtle) - Opie Bosson;
travelled three wide on pace and went on with a smart performance to win.

In training for Brent & Cherry Taylor (Trelawney Stud), she is by the leading sire in Australia with 288 winners I Am Invincible (Invincible Spirit), from Hurtle Myrtle (Dane Shadow), winner of the Myer Classic (Gr. 1, 1600m), Dane Ripper Stakes (Gr. 2, 1400m) and Sapphire Stakes (Gr. 2, 1200m). Vamos Bebe spelled after finishing second on debut in September at Te Rapa.

Darci's Rose (3 f Darci Brahma - Sovereign Rose) - Chelsea Burdan; began well from barrier one, was awkward approaching the home turn but rallied well for third.

Bred and owned by Dave &
Nicky Hurst, loyal supporters of Te Akau, her dam, Sovereign Rose (Pins), was
trained to win four races and they also shared in the ownership of stable-mate
Costa Viva (Encosta De Lago), winner of the 1000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m) and New
Zealand Bloodstock Filly of the Year.

Ocean Belle (3 f Ocean Park - Xanadu) - Diego Montes de Oca; got back to last off the outside gate, patiently ridden, before making good ground for fourth.

In training for the Block
Partnership & Springvale Family Trust, she is from terrific dual Group 1 winning
mare Xanadu (Elusive City), winner of the NZ Thoroughbred Breeders' Stakes (Gr.
1, 1600m) and Windsor Park Plate (Gr. 1, 1600m), while also finishing runner-up
in the Waikato Draught Sprint (Gr. 1, 1400m) and Telegraph Handicap (Gr. 1,
1200m) among four other placed efforts at Group 1 level.

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