Te Akau Ellerslie Trials' Report

Te Akau trialled horses at Ellerslie on Tuesday 8 September -

Weather: fine, track: Slow9, rail: true

Heat 2 Open 900 metres (½ length, length 54.8)

Burgundy Belle (5 m Burgundy - Spin ‘N Grin) - Troy Harris; worked
forward to co-lead on the inner and she fought hard for second.

Boasting a terrific record: four wins, second, and three thirds, from nine starts, she was bred by David Ellis & Karyn Fenton-Ellis and owned by the Fortuna Burgundy Belle Syndicate (Mgr: John Galvin). Ellis also purchased her dam, Spin ‘N Grin (Spinning World), for $65,000 at the 2003 NZB Premier Yearling Sale and trained by Mark Walker she won the Eight Carat Classic (Gr. 2, 1600m) and finished second in the New Zealand Breeders' Stakes (Gr. 1, 1600m). She has left five individual winners of 15 races, including Group 1 and Group 3 placed Éclair Lightning (Darci Brahma).

Festivity (4 m I Am Invincible - Mabsam) - Opie Bosson; eased to
last off the outside gate, six lengths 600m, but she made up ground stylishly
for fourth.

Two from two and impressive winning both, 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). Progeny by Leading Australian Sire (wins) I Am Invincible (Invincible Spirit), standing for $247,500, have been incredibly well sought after with yearlings selling to $2 million.

She's Not Bad (6 m He's Remarkable - Andra) - Danielle Johnson; trailed
fifth inner from barrier one and kept going solidly on footing a bit beyond
her.

She is the winner of five starts
from 15 races for breeder Simms Davison, Mapperley Stud, who races the mare
with Garry Chittick (Waikato Stud).

Vino Bella (4 m Burgundy - Pinstinct) - Diego Montes de Oca; was caught wide in midfield and found the going too testing.

Bred and managed by Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM for the Te Akau Vino Bella Syndicate, she is a consistent mare with a win and never further back than fourth in 10 starts.

Heat 3 Open 900 metres (½ length, 1 ¼ lengths 55.2)

Ginger Too (4 g Iffraaj - La Chiflota) - Diego Montes de Oca; began
well to race on speed and he rallied strongly for second.

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), he hit the line strongly for a second-up win over 1400 metres last season. By Iffraaj (Zafonic), the sire of Te Akau trained triple Group 1 winner Gingernuts, and also the dam sire of Champion Two-Year-Old, reigning Horse of the Year, and 10-time Group 1 winner Melody Belle (Commands). He is out a Group 1 winner and Champion 2YO Filly in Chile.

You're Welcome (5 g Camelot - Chorus of Angels) - Joe Kamaruddin; showed
zest to lead from barrier one and he sustained a solid gallop for third.

A debut winner with rich
international staying pedigree and consistent over ground without breaking
through last season, owned by Steve Mace, Paul Gallen, Wayne Knight, Jim &
Pauline Hepburn, Wade Graham, Matthew Fitzgerald, Damian Nash, Brett Lambert,
Josh Dugan, he was purchased by David Ellis for $200,000 at the 2017 New
Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sale, from the Curraghmore draft.

Star of Bombay (4 m Atlante - Astardia) - Danielle Johnson; settled in midfield and held the spot well on ground a touch testing for her.

Stakes placed at her fourth start, she went one better with a clinical victory in the Mufhasa Fasttrack Stakes (Listed, 1300m) on Derby Day (Feb. 29) at Ellerslie. Purchased for $50,000 by David Ellis at the 2018 New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sale, the winner of three from six owned by the Te Akau Bombay Star Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM).

Exaltation (4 m Not A Single Doubt - Meleka Belle) - Opie Bosson;
was held together at the rear and although unsuited by the footing she picked
up on the bridle over the concluding stages.

Impressive winning on debut last the spring at Riccarton, and again when resuming in February at Hastings, she is a half-sister to Champion Two-Year-Old, 10-time Group 1 winning stable-mate and Horse of the Year Melody Belle (Commands). Owned by the 2018 Fabulous Fillies Breeding Syndicate, purchased by David Ellis from Haunui Farm draft at the 2018 Karaka Book1 Sale, by Champion sire Not A Single Doubt, a son of the undisputed king of Australian sires Redoute's Choice (Danehill).

Aromatic (4 m Sacred Falls - Vickezzchardonnay) - Troy Harris;
settled last, six lengths 600m, and without any pressure she was good through
the line.

Following two seconds at her first two starts, she simply cantered home to win by more than six lengths over 1400 metres in March at Rotorua. Purchased by David Ellis for $160,000 at the 2018 Karaka Book 1 Sale, from the draft of Milan Park (same as recent winner High Achiever (Pins)), 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.

Heat 4 2YO 700 metres (1 ¼ lengths, 2 ¼ lengths 43.9)

2 c Belardo - Real Angel - Opie Bosson; hustled out to utilize
barrier one and he did everything professionally to score emphatically.

From the first NZ crop of Lope De Vega (Shamardal) stallion Belardo, multiple Group 1 winner, the sire of 10 winners including Group 3, he is out of an unraced mare by Champion Sire O'Reilly and a half-sister to dual stakes winner and multiple Group 2 placed Marquardt (Shamardal). He is owned by Chris Rutten and Little Avondale Stud.

Heat 5 2YO 700 metres (1 ½ lengths, 3 lengths 43.2)

2 f Exceed and Excel - Savaria - Danielle Johnson; began well from
a handy draw (2) to lead into the straight and ears pricked she went on to win
emphatically.

In training for owner/breeder James Chapman (Jamieson Park), she is by Champion Sire Exceed and Excel (Danehill), from Group 1 winner (NZ Oaks, 2400m) and dual Group 3 winner Savaria (Savabeel).

Heat 6 Maiden 3YO 700 metres (short neck, 7 lengths 43.8)

Holyhead (3 f Pierro - Irish Sea) - Opie Bosson; began smartly from
the outside gate to travel boldly outside the leader and he gained the upper
hand inside the final furlong to win well.

In training for owner/breeder China Horse Club, she is by Pierro (Lonhro) the Champion First, Second, and Third Season Sire in Australia. Pierro only ever ran in stakes races, winning 11 of his 14 starts. The unbeaten Triple Crown winner as a two-year-old amassed $4.5 million and already had yearling progeny reach $1.5m in the sales ring. Dam Irish Sea, by Champion Sire Fastnet Rock (Danehill), was a winner over 1100 metres in Australia.

Heat 7 Maiden 3YO 700 metres (long neck, 2 ¼ lengths 43.1)

3 g Rubick - Purringa - Troy Harris; went forward off the outside
gate, trapped a touch wide, and he picked up nicely late into third.

In training for Mr. Ben Kwok, by Encosta De Lago stallion Rubick, Group 2 and Group 3 winning sprinter, the sire of 112 winners including five stakes winners, he is out of Purringa (Purrealist), twice a winner over 1400 metres in Australia, and dam of five-time winner Felino Bel (Bel Esprit).

Heat 8 Maiden 3YO 900 metres (head, 4 ½ lengths 55.4)

Supreme Khan (3 g Mongolian Khan - Angelica Hall) - Opie Bosson;
began well to travel up three wide in third and he sustained a strong finish
for second.

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).

3 f Pins - Invermoray - Danielle Johnson; found cover in fifth and
although unable to quicken in the going she wound up solidly over the
concluding stages.

In training for Shelley Frost and
her late mother, Raewyn Ramage, who have bred three generations of the family
at Braided River Thoroughbreds, along with stakes winning stable-mate and
winner of five from 11 Weaponry (Declaration Of War). She is a half-sister to
talented filly Piper (O'Reilly).

Our Final Offer (3 g Deep Field - Egyptian Melody) - Troy Harris; got back at the jump, six lengths 600m, and remaining back he never appeared comfortable in the ground.

He was purchased by David Ellis for $100,000, from the draft of Phoenix Park, at the 2019 Karaka Book 1 Sale, and owned by Fortuna Syndications (Mgr: John Galvin). He is the first foal from an Australian placed mare by Exceed and Excel (Danehill). Deep Field was a highly regarded Group 2 winner in the Australia, by ill-fated emerging stallion Northern Meteor (Encosta De Lago), and a brother to Caulfield Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m) winner Shooting To Win. Their dam, Listen Here (Elusive Quality), subsequently sold for nearly $4 million.

Heat 9 Maiden 3YO 900 metres (½ head, 2 ½ lengths 55.5)

Perfect Scenario (3 g Iffraaj - Rosetti Bay) - Troy Harris; was
handy in a tightly-knit field, he pierced through in the straight with a strong
finish for second.

By a high-quality stallion with 20 Group 1 winners and 123 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 Queens Rose (O'Reilly) who also won eight. 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).

3 f Power - Game Duchess - Opie Bosson; tracked up three wide with
cover but he was unable to sprint in the going. 

In training for JML Bloodstock
(Mgr: Lib Petagna), by ex Cambridge Stud stallion Power (Oasis Dream), Champion
Second Season Sire. Her dam, Game Duchess, is by Montjeu (Sadler's Wells), one of the highest quality
horses in the world, winning the Irish Derby, French Derby, and Arc de
Triomphe, before experiencing plenty of success internationally and when
standing at stud in New Zealand. Game Duchess has left six individual winners
of 23 races, including Group 3 winners Exquisite Jewel (Lucky Unicorn) and Dark
Princess (Cape Blanco).

Tallulah (3 f Burgundy - Streaming) - Diego Montes de Oca; travelled keenly three wide on the pace but she was not overly comfortable on testing ground in the straight.

She was purchased by David Ellis for $60,000 at the 2019 Karaka Book 1 Sale, from the draft of Cambridge Stud, owned by the Te Akau Tallulah Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM). Ellis also purchased her sister Pinot Grey, a five-length debut winner at two that finished fourth in the Ashford Lodge Stakes (Listed, 1100m) and fifth to quadruple Group 1 winning stable-mate Avantage (Fastnet Rock) in the Karaka Million (Restricted Listed, 1200m).

Heat 10 Maiden 3YO 900 metres (½ head, head 56.6)

Te Akau Ben (3 g Tavistock - Danalaga) - Troy Harris; began well to
contest a four-way pace, on the bridle turning in and he fought hard for a
close second.

He was purchased by David Ellis for $115,000 at the 2019 Karaka Book 1 Sale, from the draft of Curraghmore Stud. Bred by Raffles Racing and owned by Mr. 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).

Reigning Cash (3 f Charm Spirit - Reigning Dynasty) - Diego Montes
de Oca; positioned handily on the inner and she sustained a spirited run near
the rail for a close third.

Purchased by David Ellis for $55,000 at the 2019 Karaka Book 1 Sale, from the draft of Windsor Park Stud, and owned by the Te Akau Deign to Reign Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM). With a rich pedigree, she is from the second crop of triple Group 1 winner Charm Spirit (Invincible Spirit), who commenced stallion duties in 2015 at Windsor Park Stud, and already sired 245 winners worldwide.

Felicienne (3 f Savabeel - Flavigny) - Opie Bosson; got back to
last off the outside gate and although never clear she ran home strongly wider
on the track before easing late.

Owned by the Te Akau Flarabeel Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM), she was purchased by David Ellis 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 six-time Champion Sire Savabeel (Zabeel), she is from a young mare by successful sire Mastercraftsman (Danehill Dancer).

Heat 11 Maiden 4YO & Up 900 metres (nose, neck 55.9)

Oceans Eight (5 m Ocean Park - Ruud Van Slaats) - Opie Bosson;
tracked the leaders in sixth and remaining on the bridle she got up to win
narrowly but well.

Bred and owned by Brent and Cherry Taylor (Trelawney Stud), from their very good race mare and producer Ruud Van Slaats (Van Nistelrooy), who recorded victories in the Auckland Thoroughbred Breeders' Stakes (Gr. 2, 1400m) and Cal Isuzu Stakes (Gr. 2, 1600m) amongst five wins and $340,000 in earnings, she has left four individual winners of 14 races, including the Te Akau trained and twice stakes placed mare Smashing (Pins).

Heat 12 Maiden 4YO & Up 900 metres (short neck, 4 ½ length 56.2)

Spirit of Gold (4 m Medaglia d'Oro - Full of Spirit) - Troy Harris;
got back at the hop, four lengths 600m, but she was unable to quicken on ground
that appeared too testing for her.

Bred and owned by Haunui Farm and H J Mackley, by Darley stallion Medaglia d'Oro (El Prado), standing for $200,000 in 2020, she is from impressive race mare Full of Spirit (Flying Spur), a winner in both NZ and Australia, who highlighted her career winning the Adrian Knox Stakes (Gr. 3, 2000m) at Royal Randwick.

Heat 13 Maiden 4YO & Up 900 metres (2 ¼ lengths, 2 ½ lengths 56.4)

Wicked Pony (4 m Shocking - Switch Hitter) - Troy Harris; steadied
to camp on the leaders but never appeared comfortable in the ground.

Owned by Gerard Peterson, Brad
Peterson, and Penny Vuglar, her dam, Switch Hitter (Pentire) has left seven
winners of 16 races.

Messing (4 m Dissident - Rossarita) - Opie Bosson; raced handily but wide and appeared a touch green while also not overly happy in the going.

Owned by Brendan Lindsay MNZM
& Jo Lindsay at Cambridge Stud, she is from the first crop of five-time
Group 1 winner and Australian Horse of the Year Dissident (Sebring). Trained by
Peter Moody, Dissident was known for his exceptionally tough qualities when
winning from 1000 metres to 1600 metres. Her dam, Rossarita (Testa Rossa), won
three times to 1300 metres in Australia.

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