Te Akau Fillies on Exhibition

La Dorada (3 f Super Seth – Gold Fever, by Savabeel) preparing to race on Saturday and Quenza (3 f Almanzor – Bavella, by Snitzel) had an exhibition gallop between races on Sunday at Te Aroha.

On Good3 footing, the pair, with Te Akau apprentice Hayley Hassman aboard La Dorada and Craig Grylls on Quenza, worked over 1000 metres in 59.7, 800m in 46.6, and last 600m in 34.1.

It was particularly good work by La Dorada, who also had an exhibition gallop last Saturday at Ellerslie, and should prove stern competition first-up. 

The 12th Champion Two-year-old for Te Akau, La Dorada is scheduled to resume in the $65,000 3YO 1200 metres tomorrow at Te Rapa, where Hassman with her three-kilo weight claim will reduce the impost to 56.5kg.

Owned by the Te Akau Solid Gold Racing Partnership (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM), La Dorada was purchased by David Ellis CNZM, from the draft of Waikato Stud, at the 2024 Karaka Book 1 Sale, and last season became the eighth winner of the Karaka Millions 2YO for the stable, and included the Group 2 Matamata Breeders’ Stakes (1200m) and Group 1 Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) amongst her juvenile trophies.

Beautifully bred Quenza, out of Listed Counties' 2YO Stakes' winner Bavella, in turn from impressive Group Three winner Zonza (Zabeel), is scheduled to debut in the $25,000 Maiden Fillies & Mares 1200 metres on Friday 19 December at Matamata.

When trialling on 25 November at Taupo, she was posted three-wide from the outside gate, improved to challenge at the 400m, and sustained a strong finish for second. 

Owned by the Te Akau Corsican Queen Racing Partnership (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM), Quenza was purchased by David Ellis CNZM, from the draft of Cambridge Stud, at the 2024 Karaka Book 1 Sale. 

Photo credit - Kenton Wright - www.raceimages.co.nz