Te Akau horses on exhibition

24 January, 2025

Te Akau horses on exhibition

Te Akau trainers Mark Walker & Sam Bergerson took the opportunity to give three horses an exhibition gallop between races on 22 January at Matamata.

Preparing for the $120,000 Group 3 Dennis Wheeler Earthmoving Taranaki Cup (1800m), Midnight Blue (So You Think) increased pace from the 1200 metres with Courtney Barnes aboard, running 1000m in 1:02.4 and last 600m in 35.5.

The Group 2 Perth Cup (2400m) winner, and more recently Listed Seymour Cup (1600m) winner, looked in good order and galloped strongly through the line.

Owned by Te Akau Midnight Blue Racing Partnership, Midnight Blue was purchased by David Ellis CNZM for A$92,500 at the Inglis Digital 2023 November (early) Online Sale.

Galloping together over 1000 metres, Cognito (So You Think), ridden by Wiremu Pinn, went on the inside of Marokopa Falls (Hellbent), with Craig Grylls aboard. They ran 1000 metres in 1:02.4 and last 600m in 36.4.

An excellent debut winner in the 2YO 1000 metres on 7 December at Trentham, Marokopa Falls will now contest the $225,000 Group 2 J Swap Contractors Matamata Breeders’ Stakes on Saturday 15 February at Matamata.

A race they have previously won nine times, Te Akau won the Breeders’ Stakes last year with subsequent Group One winner Captured By Love (Written Tycoon), who resumes in the $700,000 Group 1 Sistema Railway on Saturday at Ellerslie.

Owned by Fortuna Marokopa Falls Syndicate (Mgr: John Galvin), she was purchased by Te Akau principal David Ellis CNZM and Fortuna Syndications for A$57,500 at the 2024 Gold Coast National Yearling Sale, from the draft of Lincoln Farm.

Placed in the Group 3 Counties Cup (2100m) on 23 November at Pukekohe, former Group 2 Wellington Guineas (1400m) winner Cognito is on target for the $100,000 Listed Fulton Family Stakes (1500m) on Saturday 1 February at Ellerslie, ahead of the $100,000 Listed Matamata Veterinary Services Kaimai Stakes (2000m) on Saturday 15 February at Matamata.

Owned by Te Akau Think Ahead Racing Partnership (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM), Cognito was purchased by David Ellis CNZM for A$165,000, from the draft of Baramul Stud, at the 2021 Gold Coast National Yearling Sale.

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