Te Akau Friday Update

David writes:

Well the news from the farm is all good - the rain we have had has been just wonderful for the farmers but of course not so favourable for our racing operation!

We have had 48mls of rain in the past 24 hours and I have never known our farm to look so green in February - it is simply amazing!

The yearlings from the sales are just loving all this beautiful grass and shares in them are selling at record speed.

I am really looking forward to the races tomorrow when I go to Ellerslie although the track will not suit most of our horses.  One horse who we hope will not be affected by the soft track, and who Jamie has labelled as his best chance for the weekend, is Splurge.  He is owned by the same owners as Xtravagant and he looks like a horse who can win major races to me.

With three meetings in New Zealand tomorrow, and our stable rider Opie Bosson currently suspended, jockey assignments have been a challenge but Stephen and Jamie have done a terrific job getting top riders for all of our horses this weekend.

I would have to say that it was great to read today that New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Chairman Alan Jackson has announced a rise in the minimum stake - from 1 March the prizemoney minimum will rise from $7000 to $10,000 which is good news!

This evening I am off to the cricket after meetings in Auckland this afternoon and I am looking forward to Ellerslie tomorrow.

To all of our owners, best of luck for the weekend.