Te Akau Matamata Trials' Report

Te Akau trainers Stephen Autridge & Jamie Richards: premiership winners last season with 104 victories (second in the current premiership with 64 wins), presented horses at the trials on 21 March at Matamata.

Weather: fine, track: Dead4, rail: out 15 metres

Heat 1: Open 1200 metres (¾ lengths, 1 ¼ lengths 1:13.0)

Echezeaux (5 m Encosta De Lago - Grand Echezeaux) - Opie Bosson; was slowly away over the sprint distance to settle last. She improved stylishly around runners from the 600m and sustained a good gallop under minimal urging for third.

Owned and bred by Sir Peter Vela, she recorded two wins and a stakes placing from four starts in her last campaign and a very valuable mare. Her dam, Grand Echezeaux (Zabeel), is regarded as Blue Hen mare, the highest accolade afforded to broodmares, being the mother of Darci Brahma (Danehill), Saperavi (Stravinsky) and Burgundy (Redoute's Choice), from a line that produced Caulfield and Melbourne Cup winner Ethereal (Rhythm).

Heat 2: Open 1200 metres (head, 1 ¾ lengths 1:11.9)

Zambezi Warrior (4 g Pentire - Zambezi) - Jasmine Fawcett; began well from barrier one to co-lead at a steady tempo. Joined by a wall of horses on straightening, he quickened easily and showed his competitiveness and forward condition in winning.

He was purchased by David Ellis for $75,000 at the 2014 New Zealand Bloodstock Premier Yearling Sale, for the Te Akau 2014 Cups Syndicate, from the draft of Goodwood Stud - the same stud that bred Gingernuts (Iffraaj).  Ending his previous campaign with a notable effort for sixth in the Wellington Cup (Gr. 3, 3200m) and the winner of four races, he was stakes' placed in the Championship Stakes (Gr. 2, 2100m) as a three-year-old, and beating multiple stakes' winner Rasa Lila (Darci Brahma) in the trial is good form for what lies ahead when competing in Brisbane.

Heat 3: Open 1000 metres (head, 1 ½ lengths 59.1)

Play For Time (3 f Foxwedge - Procrastinate) - Opie Bosson; showed pace to cross and lead. Dictating terms in front on the bridle, she is a natural running filly that kept up a solid gallop to win nicely.

She gave her rivals a cold when winning her Maiden by five lengths over 1100 metres in January. Play for Time was bred by Fairway Thoroughbreds, also responsible for breeding Australian Horse of the Year Winx (Street Cry), and offered by leading Australian Stud Newgate to be trained by Te Akau.  She is beautifully bred, from another Blue Hen mare, Procrastinate (Jade Hunter), who was a Tristarc Stakes (Gr. 3, 1400m) winner and prolific matron of stakes' winners at stud.

Niamh Elizabeth (4 m Per Incanto - Trove) - Jasmine Fawcett; received a cosy trip in fourth on the outer and once presented at the 250m she worked home solidly to finish close up.

A winner through the winter, she is a half-sister to stakes' winning mare Thrive (Colombia), trained by Te Akau.  Purchased by David Ellis for $62,500 at the 2014 NZB Select Yearling Sale, and owned by Paul Martin, Niamh Elizabeth was prepped by Jamieson Park for breeder Ken Browne who along with Ellis raced Thrive.

Esprit De Corps (4 g Bel Esprit - Vercors) - Cameron Lammas; settled three back on the outer and widest on straightening he ran home alongside her stable-mate Niamh Elizabeth.

Bought by David Ellis as a yearling for $70,000 from the 2014 NZB Premier Yearling Sale, from the Pencarrow Stud draft, he became the 100th winner for Te Akau last season when scoring by nearly four lengths, with give in the ground, for the Te Akau Esprit Syndicate.

Heat 4: Open 1000 metres (neck, short neck 58.9)

Lady Pinot (4 m Starspangledbanner - Madame Echezeaux) - Cameron Lammas; was posted three wide early, improved to second at the 400m and never flinched in the run home to win well.

A winner in a fresh state over 1000 metres, she appears in the right fettle to commence with another strong performance. Out of a half-sister to Echezeaux (above), she too is a valuable mare purchased by David Ellis for $200,000 from the Pencarrow draft and the 2014 NZB Premier Yearling Sale.

O'Naturelle (3 f O'Reilly - Naturo) - Opie Bosson; was back in the rearward division of seven runners. She was denied room when looking for a gap at the 300m and rounded off solidly once clear.

From Matamata Breeders' Stakes (Gr. 2, 1200m) winner and Second Top Filly of her year Naturo (Postponed), she is owned and bred by Jamieson Park, and won and was stakes' placed from only three starts in her first campaign.

Heat 6: 2YO 800 metres (neck, ½ a length 48.4)

Beau Geste (2 g Pour Moi - Villa Wanda) - Jasmine Fawcett; positioned fifth on the inner, off the rail to track up from the 400m and stayed on well through the line for a horse looking for much more distance.

Purchased for Fortuna Syndications by David Ellis for $32,500 at the 2016 NZB Premier Yearling Sale, from the draft of Valachi Downs, he is a half-brother to multiple Group One winning Wall Street (Montjeu) and staying mare of promise Villa Elba (Zabeel).

Heat 7: 2YO 800 metres (3 ½ lengths, ½ a length 47.8)

Poppin' Bubbles (2 f Rock ‘N' Pop - Princess Caga) - Opie Bosson; pressed forward to lead at the 600m, slipped clear turn and showed a good action in what was a smart win.

Purchased privately by David Ellis, she is a lovely example of a juvenile filly by this sire, who won the 2000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m) for the Te Akau Rock ‘N' Pop Syndicate. She showed good improvement on her first trial effort for fourth and has a good deal of precocity.

2 f Roc De Cambes - Sweet Torque - Michael McNab; was fourth on the inner at the 400m, held together against the rail in the straight and would take plenty from a very good educational first trial.

Owned and bred by Ian Farrelly, her dam won four times up to 2170 metres and she appears a lovely staying filly in the making.

Heat 9: 2YO 800 metres (¾ lengths, neck 48.1)

2 g Darci Brahma - Rihanna - Opie Bosson; improved from back on the inner to trail the leaders turning for home and ran on in a gap one off the rail in the straight.

It was his first trial outing and natural improvement is expected with experience and maturity.

Heat 10: 2YO 800 metres (2 ¼ lengths, 1 ¼ lengths 48.1)

2 f Fastnet Rock - Forest Native - Opie Bosson; was handily placed with cover, ranged at will when presented on straightening, quickened away sharply at the 200m to put a buffer on the opposition and with evident ability she won easing down.

Thoroughbred powerhouse Coolmore bred and own the filly and she was offered by them to be trained by Te Akau. It was a terrific first trial and she looks a filly of immense promise.

Heat 11: 2YO 800 metres (¾ lengths, ¾ lengths 47.6)

2 f Burgundy - Trove - Michael McNab; was trapped back and wide off the outside gate, in a tightly bunched field, and being flushed even wider turning for home negated the chances of finishing closer.
Having her first trial, she is a half-sister to Niamh Elizabeth (above) from a family that benefits from give in the ground.

Heat 12: Maiden 800 metres (6 ½ lengths, head 46.8)

Lady Masako (3 f Iffraaj - Lady Sakura) - Cameron Lammas; settled fifth on a genuine pace and held her place in a heat that saw no changes to positions down the straight.

She was purchased by Te Akau Racing for $23,000 at the 2015 NZB South Island Sale, from the draft of Pear Tree Farm. Following two starts, she has been given a good spell and can only improve following what was a fast trial.

Heat 14: 2YO 1000 metres (2 lengths, short neck 59.1)

Miss Scandinavia (2 f Smart Missile - Miss Helsinki) - Opie Bosson; was back in sixth off the outside gate, improved three wide with cover inside the 600m, presented four wide in the straight and sustained a strong finish for second.

Owned by the 2016 Te Akau Scandinavia Syndicate, she was purchased by David Ellis, from Arrowfield Stud after being passed in at the Sydney Easter Yearling Sale.   She has an exceptional pedigree: her grand-dam Miss Finland (Redoute's Choice) was the Champion 2YO & 3YO Filly in Australia, and winner of five races at Group One level including the Golden Slipper and VRC Oaks.

2 f Not A Single Doubt - Ban the Recorder - Michael McNab; worked through to lead near the rail and without serious urging she kept up a solid gallop for third.

She was purchased by David Ellis for $60,000 at the 2016 Gold Coast Yearling Sale, from Mane Lodge.   She is by a champion stallion, Not A Single Doubt (Redoute's Choice) whose progeny have sold up to $850,000, while his fee has increased from $13,750 to $33,000 to $71,500.  She is a filly of good size and strength and looks as though she will continue to improve.

Heat 15: 2YO 1000 metres (neck, 1 ½ lengths 1:00.3)

Seirios (2 c Pierro - Irish Lights) - Opie Bosson; overcame an awkward draw to secure a nice spot in fourth, was clear on straightening and ran home strongly for third.

From the Group One winner Irish Lights (Fastnet Rock), Seirios was purchased by David Ellis for $480,000 at the 2016 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, from the draft of Coolmore Stud, and owned by the Te Akau 2016 Breeding Syndicate.   Irish Lights won the Thousand Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m) at Caulfield, and five-time Group One winning sire Pierro (Lonhro) only ever ran in stakes' races, winning eleven of his fourteen starts, and the unbeaten Triple Crown winner at two amassed A$4.5 million.

Seirios finished second in each of two spring trials before being held up on debut over 800 metres as a lead up to the Welcome Stakes (Listed, 1000m), both at Riccarton. The trip away, racing experience, and time to freshen since, all appear to have had a positive effect and along with two recent trials should hold him in good stead for a return to racing.

Full of Grace (2 g O'Reilly - Tuesday's Child) - Michael McNab; began well to trail, travelled well but was unable to find clear room in the straight and subsequently held together in a good trial performance.

David Ellis purchased him as a yearling for $110,000 at the 2016 NZB Premier Sale. Both Ellis and Cambridge Stud master Sir Patrick Hogan, who offered the colt for sale, loved him as a type and being out of a Zabeel (Sir Tristram) mare felt he had the makings of an autumn two-year-old to train on at three and older.  He is bred on the same cross as champion mare Silent Achiever (O'Reilly), and from the family of champion stallion Redoute's Choice (Danehill).

2 f Burgundy - Squall - Cameron Lammas; settled three back on the inner and finished solidly amongst tight quarters just behind the leading division.

Bred and owned by Gavin & Shane Wealleans, her dam Squall (Black Minnaloushe) won five races over sprint trips, acted fresh, and this filly is approaching race trim.

Heat 16: 2YO 1000 metres (2 ¼ lengths, neck no time)

Embellish (2 c Savabeel - Bling) - Opie Bosson; showed good gate speed to lead. He dictated terms in front, quickened to a two-length advantage at the 200m and displayed quality in winning well.

Owned by the Te Akau 2016 Breeding Syndicate, the brother to Group One winner Diademe, who subsequently sold for $740,000, was bought by David Ellis for $775,000 at the New Zealand Bloodstock Premier Sale, from the draft of Waikato Stud.

“He is a magnificent colt and a standout at Waikato Stud when we did the farm inspections,” said Ellis, at the time of purchase.  â€œThe colt has a lovely cross of Sir Tristram on both sides of his pedigree.”

Waikato Stud proprietor Mark Chittick said: “He's a beautiful type with a great pedigree and the Savabeel-O'Reilly cross is one that's really worked. He was extremely popular in the lead-up to the sale, more so than any other yearling we've had.”

Summer Monsoon (2 c Stratum - Princess Narine) - Jason Waddell; settled three back on the inner, worked into the clear mid straight and rounded off strongly for second.

He ran a great race for second in the Matamata Slipper (Listed, 1200m) on 25 February, with the winning colt Summer Passage (Snitzel) subsequently victorious in the Sistema Stakes (Gr. 1, 1200m).   Owned by the Te Akau 2016 Sydney No. 1 Breeding Syndicate, he was purchased by David Ellis for $200,000 at the Sydney Easter Yearling Sale.  He trialled very well and has the right form and tactical speed to be regarded as a genuine chance in the $225,000 Sires' Produce Stakes (Gr. 1, 1400m) on 1 April at Awapuni.

Age of Fire (2 c Fastnet Rock - Dragon's Tail) - Michael McNab; was caught three wide in fifth, off the outside gate, and given an easy time in the straight off a tough trip.

Owned by the Te Akau 2016 Sydney Breeding Syndicate No. 2, he was purchased by David Ellis for $400,000 at the Sydney Easter Yearling Sale, from Erinvale Thoroughbreds.  A brother to stable-mate and race winner Fastnet Fire, he is a cracking colt by a Champion sire, from a daughter of Champion sire Galileo.  He made up many lengths in his first trial recently at Rotorua, showing good ability and a powerful action, and it was only the wide run that cost him finishing closer here.

b(2 c Snitzel - My My Maree) - Opie Bosson; snagged by design at the start, he tracked through to three back on the outer, swept up wide on straightening and displayed a terrific turn of foot to win well, after what was a clever ride from the outside gate.

A powerfully built colt, purchased by David Ellis for $200,000 at the 2016 NZB Premier Yearling Sale, he is a half-brother to Group One winning two-year-old Marky Marky (Makfi).  After beating subsequent dual winner Felton Road (Pins) when trialling in December, not everything panned out when making his debut in the 2YO 1200 metres on 14 January at Trentham but he certainly appeared back on track with a very good trial win.

Lady Zeraph (2 f Makfi - Zatiger) - Michael McNab; jumped away well, steadying to trail at the 800m and staying to the rail she kept up a resolute gallop, without urging, for fourth.

She was purchased by David Ellis for $120,000 at the 2016 NZB Premier Yearling Sale.   Ellis said: “She is a very athletic filly and being a late foal, with a staying pedigree, will continue to improve as she matures. She strikes us as the type of filly that has the quality to prepare for the 1000 Guineas and train on to an Oaks distance”.

From the draft of Wellfield Stud, who raced her dam Zatiger, by Zabeel, she was an impressive three-time winner over a mile and in turn has already left Billy Britain (One Cool Cat) a winner of five races up to 2200 metres in Singapore, and Tiger Tim (Alamosa) who has won four and shapes as a notable staying horse in New Zealand.

Heat 18: 2YO 1000 metres (¾ lengths, 1 length 1:00.9)

Melody Belle (2 f Commands - Meleka Belle) - Opie Bosson; steadied to fourth on the outer at the 700m, ranged in to the clear on straightening, quickened under her own steam to lead and cruised home to win without urging - classy.

She recorded a stunning victory in the $1m Karaka Million (Listed, 1200m) and was unfortunately a touch off colour when looking to contest the Sistema Stakes (Gr. 1, 1200m) last week at Ellerslie.  Owned by the Fortuna Melody Belle Syndicate, managed by John Galvin, the first foal from winning mare Meleka Belle was purchased for $57,500 by David Ellis, from the draft of Haunui Farm, at the 2016 NZB Premier Yearling Sale.

Coup Bradman (2 g Darci Brahma - Bosphorus) - Michael McNab; overcame an awkward draw to trail, tracked his stable-mate through from the 200m and kept up a strong gallop for second.

Purchased by David Ellis for $47,500 at the 2016 NZB Select Yearling Sale, from the draft of Wentwood Grange, and raced by him, Ray Coupland, and breeder Greg Jones.   His dam, Bosphorus (Encosta De Lago), also trained by Te Akau, is a half-sister to Futurity Stakes (Gr. 1, 1600m) winner Aqua D'Amore (Danehill) who scored nine times from 1200 to 2400 metres with over NZ$2m in stakes, and her first foal (Coup Bradman) also shapes to make his mark over ground.

Heat 19: Maiden 1000 metres (¾ lengths, long neck 59.7)

3 f Showcasing - Real Success - Opie Bosson; improved from back and wide to fifth without cover from the 600 metres, ranged to challenge approaching the home turn and exuding quality in her action she was held together to win well.

She was offered to be trained by Stephen Autridge & Jamie Richards, after being bought for $50,000 at the 2015 New Zealand Bloodstock Premier Yearling Sale, from the draft of Trelawney.  Her dam, Real Success (Success Express) was an impressive winner of six races, including a Group Two and two Group Three victories, and in turn a terrific broodmare being the dam of Queensland Oaks (Gr. 1, 2400m) winner Vouvray (Zabeel) and Syrah (Traditionally) who has left Thorndon Mile (Gr. 1, 1600m) winner A Touch of Ruby, raced by the same connections.

Savvy Lady (3 f Savabeel - Modern Lady) - Cameron Lammas; ended up well back on the inner and continued to make ground near the rail in the run home.

A staying filly, she was having her first trial outing since a couple of starts leading up to Christmas. She has the pedigree to go further, being from the family of City of Auckland Cup (Gr. 2, 2400m) winner Zarius (Zabeel), trained by Mark Walker.

Heat 20: Maiden 1000 metres (¾ lengths, neck 1:00.3)

Stolen Love (3 f Savabeel - Steal) - Jasmine Fawcett; began well from barrier one to sweet seat in trail, received a clear rails run on straightening and sustained a strong finish under hands and heels to win well.

Purchased by David Ellis for $80,000 at the 2015 NZB Premier Yearling Sale, from the draft of Lyndhurst Farm, who prepared for breeder Dan Myers, she continued to improve in her four starts leading up to Christmas, has done well for a break, and the type to break through at short notice.

Heat 21: Maiden 1000 metres (¾ lengths, ¾ lengths 1:00.9)

Lucy Wyldstyle (3 f Savabeel - Legs) - Jasmine Fawcett; shared a competitive pace, in the centre of three horses, and kept up a resolute gallop in tight quarters for a close fifth.

She was purchased by Te Akau Racing for $200,000 from the draft of Waikato Stud at the 2015 New Zealand Bloodstock Premier Yearling Sale, and has plenty of residual value, having dual Group One winner Legs (Pins) as her second dam.

Heat 22: Maiden 1000 metres (neck, short neck 1:00.6)

O'Know (4 m O'Reilly - Know All) - Opie Bosson; began smartly to lead, she turned for home with something offer, quickened and then held together over the concluding stages to finish close up in second. It was a tidy trial performance.

Purchased by David Ellis for $110,000 at the 2014 NZB Premier Yearling Sale, from the draft of Waikato Stud, she is out of a mare by Zabeel (Sir Tristram), from Group One winner Critic (Centaine).   A touch unlucky not to have won on debut, she has continued to furnish in to her sizeable frame and looks ready for a good campaign.