Te Akau Horses on Exhibition

4 March, 2024

Te Akau Horses on Exhibition


Ahead of upcoming assignments, Te Akau trainers Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson gave three horses an exhibition gallop between races last Thursday at Matamata. 


My Lips Are Sealed (3 f Ace High – Tellmeaboutit, by Tavistock) worked solo with Craig Grylls aboard, running 1000 metres in 59.8, last 600m in 34.5, on Soft6 footing. She galloped nicely and looked good through the line (pictured).

Owned by the Te Akau Not A Word Racing Partnership (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM), My Lips Are Sealed was purchased as a yearling by David Ellis CNZM for $160,000 at the Karaka 2022 Book 1 Sale, from the draft of Rich Hill Stud. 

She dug deep for a nose margin defeat in the Eulogy Stakes (Gr. 3, 1600m) on 16 December at Trentham, fought hard for fifth in the Sir Patrick Hogan Stakes (Gr. 2, 2050m) on 1 January at Pukekohe, and most recently circled from beyond midfield with a strong finish for sixth in the Oaks Prelude (Listed, 1800m) on 2 February at New Plymouth.

My Lips Are Sealed is preparing for the $175,000 Wellington Guineas (Gr. 2, 1400m) on NZ Oaks' Day (Saturday 16 March at Trentham), won last year by stable-mate Cognito (So You Think).


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Working solidly at intervals over a lap, Prise De Fer (8 g Savabeel – Foiled, by Snippets), ridden by Warren Kennedy, travelled about 50 metres ahead of Fierce Flight (5 g Flying Artie – First Bloom, by Dylan Thomas), with Joe Doyle aboard. 

Winner of 11 races and nearly $950,000 in prize money, Prise De Fer ran 1200 metres in 1:14.2, last 600m in 36.4.

He ran a solid race in the Open Handicap 2070 metres on 7 February at Matamata, before finishing back in the Avondale Cup (Gr. 2, 2400m) on 17 February at Ellerslie. 

'Sabre', as he is known, is a Group One winner over 1600 metres and Group placed at 2400 metres, and is preparing for the $500,000 Barfoot & Thompson Auckland Cup (Gr. 2, 3200m) on Saturday 9 March at Ellerslie. 

Prise De Fer was purchased by David Ellis CNZM for $100,000, from draft of Trelawney Stud, at 2017 New Zealand Bloodstock Premier Yearling Sale, and owned by Te Akau En Guarde Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM).


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Hawkes Bay Cup (Listed, 2200m) winner, Fierce Flight ran 1200 metres in 1:13.0, last 600m in 36.4.

Purchased by David Ellis CNZM for $45,000 at the 2020 New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sale, from the draft of Kilgravin Lodge, Fierce Flight is owned by Te Akau Out of Bounds Racing Partnership (Mgr: Karyn-Fenton Ellis) and to date has won $245,000.

He ran a top race for second in the Wellington Cup (Gr. 3, 3200m) on 20 January at Trentham, and found the line strongly for seventh, after being wide early, in the Avondale Cup (Gr. 2, 2400m) on 17 February at Ellerslie.

Fierce Flight is preparing for a tilt at the $500,000 Barfoot & Thompson Auckland Cup (Gr. 2, 3200m) on Saturday 9 March at Ellerslie.

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