Te Akau Ellerslie Trials' Report

Te Akau trialled horses at the Auckland Thoroughbred Racing trials on Monday 14 March 2022 at Ellerslie.

Weather: fine, track: Dead5, rail: out 3.5 metres. 

Heat 4 2YO 800 metres (½ a length, ¾ lengths 47.1)

Al Malik (2 c Zoustar - Mumtazaah) - Sam Weatherley; allowed to find feet, he was last on the inner and five lengths off them at the 600m, but flattened out and powered home on the inside for a stylish win.

Prefer to Play (2 g Preferment - Play Me) - Niranjan Parmar; stepped smartly, was easy to settle among runners, and while he was without pace over a sprint trip, he quickened and trialled well.

Heat 5 2YO 800 metres (½ a length, 3 ½ lengths 46.5)

Wild Night (2 g Vanbrugh - Supreme) - Niranjan Parmar; got back second last rounding the home turn, but was let go down outer with big strides for a smart win.

Apollonius (2 c Fastnet Rock - Ciarlet) - Sam Weatherley; was easy from the gate, five lengths off at the 600m, however he tracked up wider and finished solidly for fourth.

Heat 6 2YO 800 metres (short neck, 2 ½ lengths 46.3)

Believe It Or Not (2 g Star Witness - Believe You Me) - Niranjan Parmar; settled seventh, and was five lengths from the leaders at the 600m, but he came clear wide on straightening and produced a big finish to win.

Wingspan (2 c Savabeel - Flamingo) - Sam Weatherley; was pushed up to keep in touch, settled in fourth, but was tightened and bumped at the 200m and taken easily over the concluding stages.

Heat 7 2YO 800 metres (head, 3 ½ lengths 47.0)

Caravella (2 f Caravaggio - Highland Lights) - Sam Weatherley; began well to tamed in second position, angled wider on the turn and looked good in her action letting down with a strong finish to win.

2 g Burgundy - Tad Infitnitum- Niranjan Parmar; steadied off wide gate, was second last and six lengths off at the 600m, however wound up to deliver a good finish for fourth.

Heat 10 2YO 1000 metres (neck, head 59.5)

Prince Lonhro (2 g Lonhro - Palace Gardens) - Niranjan Parmar; settled back between runners, quickened into a gap at the 300m and stretched out well when asked to win.

Heat 11 2YO 1000 metres (head, 2 lengths 1:00.3)

Stonybreck (2 g Tavistock - Fair Isle) - Niranjan Parmar; trailed in third, went clear on the inner at the turn and let down very well for close second.

Heat 12 2YO 1000 metres (head, 2 ½ lengths 58.7)

2 g Sacred Falls - Dee I Why - Sam Weatherley; steadied in fourth chasing a genuine pace, was five lengths away at the 600m, and remained solid over the sprint trip for fifth.

Heat 13 Maiden 1000 metres (head, ½ a length 59.0)

3 g Burgundy - Corsage- Niranjan Parmar; was easy from a wider gate and settled second last.  He improved on the bridle five lengths back at the 600m, went clear wide on turning and galloped home strongly for a close fourth.

Heat 14 Maiden 1000 metres (3 ¾ lengths, 1 ¾ lengths 58.5)

3 g Tiger Prawn - Almeida - Niranjan Parmar; began well to position handily, baulked for a run at the turn, but nonetheless ran on solidly once clear for third.

Heat 15 Maiden 1000 metres (head, 1 ¼ lengths 58.7)

Eridor (3 g Telperion - Fille De France) - Niranjan Parmar; travelled amongst runners in a tightly knit field, was four lengths away at the 600m, and got home on heels with seemingly more to offer.

Heat 16 Maiden 1000 metres (head, 1 ¼ lengths 58.7)

She's Outrageous (3 f Reliable Man - She's Insatiable) - Niranjan Parmar; was eased back, four lengths at the 600m, then angled widest in the straight to run home well over a sprint trip for fourth.