Te Akau Friday Update

David writes:

Just a short note today as I have travelled down to Christchurch for the races tomorrow.

I have just been out to Riccarton to inspect our team of horses based here and what an absolute credit they are to our team!

Pam Gerard, our assistant trainer, has been based in the south for almost two months now and she has done a terrific job with these horses, ably supported by Gary Ritchie and more recently Daniel Miller, and previously Meg Cuneen.

Without exception, every horse looked a picture and I cannot wait to see them step out tomorrow on race day.  Stephen Autridge flew down last Friday to oversee final work and Jamie Richards came down on Monday and will be here until the carnival is complete next Saturday.

It's all about team work - and we have the very best team possible!

There is very sad news today - our thoughts are with Pam and Tom and children Jack, Archie and Meg as Pam's Dad passed away yesterday. Karyn and I, as I know you all also do, send Pam and her family all our love and concern at such a sad time for them.  Losing a parent is an incredibly difficult time and we are all here for you. Our horses will run with angel wings for you tomorrow.

Today Karyn is attending the AGM of New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing at Riccarton - as Chairman of the Waikato Racing Club and also member of the NZTR Members' Council.  Today is also her birthday so tonight we will have some celebrating to do - Julia-Rose and Hamish will be here and we will be joined by Jamie, Pam and Daniel as well as David McCarthy to toast the birthday girl.

Good luck tomorrow to all our owners with horses racing - and to Te Akau Singapore trainer Mark Walker who has a big team running at Kranji tonight - sadly, and very sadly Mark has had to engage four new riders for horses that Tim Bell was to ride for us tonight - such a loss of a young man with a huge future.