Te Akau Matamata Trials' Report

Te Akau had a large team trial on its home track on Tuesday -

Weather: cloudy, track: Slow9, rail: out 16 metres

Heat 1 Open 1200 metres (1 ¼ lengths, 1 ¼ lengths 1:12.2)

Mazzuro (4 g Rip Van Winkle - Mini Pearl) - Opie Bosson; last of nine early, ten lengths 600, angled clear 200m and picked up very well into third without urging.

Owned by Bill & Sandra Duell, who raced multiple stakes' performer and 12 time winner Natuzzi (Coats Choice) with Paul Richards, Mazzuro campaigned very well through the autumn in Melbourne, winning twice to 2100 metres and registering a second and third from four starts.

From a classy family, his dam Mini Pearl (Black Minnaloushe) was a stakes winner that recorded seven victories to 2000 metres and grand-dam Another Pearl (Pompeii Court) won four times before becoming a good producer.

Heat 2 Open 1200 metres (1 ¾ lengths, 2 lengths 1:12.6)

Our Abbadean (6 m Lookin At Lucky - Highland Lights) - Jordan Nason; worked up third in the open, ranged three wide rounding the home turn and sustained a strong gallop for second.

Bred and owned by the Hawkins' family at Wentwood Grange, Our Abbadean came of age in the autumn when winning three of her last four starts, including the Awapuni Gold Cup (Gr. 2, 2000m), Travis Stakes (Gr. 2, 2000m), and second in the Hawkes Bay Cup (Listed, 2200m).

Following a spell, she contested all three legs of the Triple Crown at Hastings: resuming with a huge finish for third to stable-mate Melody Belle (Commands) in the Tarzino Trophy (Gr. 1, 1400 metres), equally compelling when fifth, again to Melody Belle, in the Windsor Park Plate (Gr. 1, 1600m), and fifth again, to Savvy Coup (Savabeel), in the Livamol Classic (Gr. 1, 2040m).

Lord High Spirit (6 g High Chaparral - Azumi) - Opie Bosson; was back on the inner, last of eight, and not asked for too much he remained rearward.

In training for Aquis Farm Syndicate, he was a winner over 1200 metres and Group Three placed over 1600 metres in Australia, winning $85,000 in prize money, before an unsuccessful stint in Hong Kong, and now given his chance in New Zealand.

Aquis Farm is owned by the Hong Kong based Fung family, who have a large interest in standing stallions and also racing horses globally.

Heat 3 Open 1000 metres (head, ½ a length 1:00.1)

Griffin (4 g Iffraaj - Double Elle) - Chelsea Burdan; settled sixth on the outer, seven lengths 600m, and kept between runners he worked home fine in a quiet trial outing.

Griffin, the brother to New Zealand Derby (Gr. 1, 2400m), Rosehill Guineas (Gr. 1, 2000m), and Windsor Park Plate (Gr. 1, 1600m), winner Gingernuts (Iffraaj), impressively won his only start as a two-year-old for the The Te Akau Slam Dunk Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis). Although winless through his three-year-old season, he contested stakes races, and had a good spell in readiness for his next preparation.

He was purchased by David Ellis for $90,000 from the New Zealand Bloodstock online auction site Gavelhouse.

Heat 4 Open 1000 metres (¾ lengths, head 1:00.4)

Melody Belle (4 m Commands - Meleka Belle) - Opie Bosson; slid across easily from the outside gate to camp outside the leader, took over nearing the 200m and never off the bridle in winning stylishly.

Te Akau principal David Ellis purchased the stellar filly for $57,500 at the 2016 New Zealand Bloodstock Premier Yearling Sale, from the draft of Haunui Farm, and her record stands at eight wins from 15 starts, with earnings of $1,236,406 for the Fortuna Melody Belle Syndicate (Mgr: John Galvin).

Champion Two-Year-Old and unbeaten in three runs through the spring: Foxbridge Plate (Gr. 2, 1200m), Tarzino Trophy (Gr. 1, 1400 metres), and Windsor Park Plate (Gr. 1, 1600m), the triple Group One winner also won the Sires' Produce (Gr. 1, 1400m), Sires' Produce (Gr. 2, 1400m) in Brisbane, Karaka Million (Restricted Listed, 1200m), and Mongolian Khan Trophy (Gr. 3, 1200m).

Heat 6 2YO 800 metres (head, ¾ lengths 47.9)

Aotea Lad (2 g Savabeel - Corsage) - Opie Bosson; was back and wide off the outside gate, seven lengths 600, ranged well widest into the straight and sustained a big finish to win.

Purchased by David Ellis for $200,000, from the draft of Phoenix Park, at the 2018 Karaka Book 1 Sale, and owned by the Te Akau Love Life Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM).

Corsage (Volksraad), from Spray (Entrepreneur), in turn from the great race mare Seamist (Beaufort Sea), was purchased by Ellis for $25,000. A winner on debut and Joint Second Top Filly on the 2008-09 2YO Free Handicaps, Corsage placed in both the Diamond Stakes (Gr. 1, 1200m) and Matamata Breeders' Stakes (Gr. 2, 1200m) as a two-year-old, with stakes placed finishes in the Ray Coupland Stakes (Listed, 1400m), Sunline Vase (Listed, 2100m), and fourth in the 2000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m). Transferred to Mark Walker in Singapore, she won a further two races and increased her stakes earnings to $270,000.

Heat 7 2YO 800 metres (1 ¼ lengths, 1 ½ lengths 48.8)

Diamond Dream (2 f Fastnet Rock - Cierzo) - Opie Bosson; was a touch tardily away, last and eight lengths 600m, travelled well on straightening and angled wide at the 200m she looked good, although slightly green, getting home solidly for third.

From a family very well known in New Zealand, Te Akau principal David Ellis paid $500,000 for the valuable half-sister to Jimmy Choux (Thorn Park) and Miss Wilson (Stratum) at the 2018 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale, from the draft of Coolmore Stud.

Standing at Rich Hill Stud, Jimmy Choux won five Group One races including the NZ Derby (Gr. 1, 2400m), Rosehill Guineas (Gr. 1, 2000m) and 2000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m), was crowned NZ Horse of the Year and Champion Australasian Three-Year-Old, and Champion First Season Sire in New Zealand (2015 -16).  Miss Wilson, also an immensely talented galloper, gained the crowning glory for any mare when winning the New Zealand Breeders' Stakes (Gr. 1, 1600m) in April at Te Aroha.

Heat 8 2YO 800 metres (head, 2 ½ lengths 48.3)

Harlow (2 f Proisir - Joan's Girl) - Jordan Nason; was squeezed out the back soon after the start, last and 10 lengths 600m, she picked up well nearer the rail on straightening and sustained a very good effort for third.

She was purchased by David Ellis for $41,000 at the 2018 New Zealand Bloodstock South Island Sale, from the draft of Pear Tree Farm, owned by the Te Akau Blonde Bombshell Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM).

She is a strong and striking filly, with plenty of likeness to Australian Champion Two-Year-Old and history making racehorse Choisir (Danehill Dancer), the sire of Proisir. Winner of the Lightning Stakes (Gr. 1, 1000m) at Flemington, Choisir beat the best sprinters in the world when winning the King's Stand Stakes (Gr. 2, 1000m) and Golden Jubilee Stakes (Gr. 1, 1200m) at Royal Ascot in the U.K., before becoming highly successful at stud.

The dam side of her family features second dam Joan's Best (Gold Brose), who included victories in the Canterbury Belle Stakes (Listed, 1200m), Ray Coupland Stakes (Listed, 1400m), and Otago Breeders' Stakes (Listed, 1400m), with five wins from 13 starts.

Heat 9 2YO 800 metres (neck, 2 ¼ lengths 48.6)

High Achiever (2 g Pins - Thee Achiever) - Opie Bosson; was fifth early, improved outside the leader at the 500m, took over rounding the home turn and found nicely under a confident ride to win in good fashion.

Owned by the Te Akau High Achievers Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM), purchased by David Ellis for $100,000 at the 2018 Karaka Book 1 Sale, from the Milan Park draft.

From a great South Island family of the Dennis brothers (Tony, Joe, Martin and Ray Dennis), one of their three winners of the NZ Broodmare of the Year title, The Fantasy (Gate Keeper), produced The Phantom (Noble Bijou): winner of 10 races and $2,231,391 in stakes, and his brother The Phantom Chance won 11 races and $2,189,706 in prize money. The first foal of a three time winning O'Reilly mare, his grand-dam, The Grin (Grosvenor), won four races and became the dam of 1000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m) winner The Jewel: 11 wins netting $620,003.

Heat 10 2YO 800 metres (head, ¾ lengths 47.9)

Laureate (2 c Snitzel - Floria) - Opie Bosson; went forward to situate outside the leader in second and unable to quicken up he appeared unsuited to the slow going.

From the draft of Haunui Farm, purchased by David Ellis for $625,000 at the Karaka Book1 Sale in January this year, owned by Te Akau 2018 Colt Breeding Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM).

By one of three in the trilogy of breed shaping champion stallions in Australia: Danehill (Danzig), Redoute's Choice (Danehill), and Snitzel (Redoute's Choice), he is the first foal from impressive winning Savabeel (Zabeel) mare Floria, winner of the Brisbane Cup (Gr. 2, 2400m), Summoned Stakes (Gr. 3, 1600m), and Cuddle Stakes (Gr. 3, 1600m).  His grand-dam, Aria (Centaine), was also an impressive performer, winning four races, and the underlying key to success in the family is horses with the ability to accelerate on good footing.

Heat 11 2YO 800 metres (long head, 1 ½ length 48.8)

Laurentium (2 c Sacred Falls - Alberton Princess) - Opie Bosson; positioned on pace, between a line a three on straightening and showed both ticker and quality in a nice win.

Purchased by David Ellis for $170,000 at the 2018 Karaka Book 1 Sale, from the Phoenix Park draft, owned by Linda Buttle, he is a half-brother to gifted three-year-old Brutal (O'Reilly), dual stakes winner of three from three in Melbourne.

The first yearling by Champion Three-Year-Old (up to 1600m) and four-time Group One winner Sacred Falls (O'Reilly), a $160,000 purchase when selling in 2011 at Karaka, he finished up earning $5.1 million.  From the terrific colonial Alberton family, his dam Alberton Princess (Golan) was an impressive winner on two occasions over 1400 metres and already left four individual winners of 10 races.

Heat 18 2YO 1000 metres (1 length, ½ a length 1:01.6)

Boutonniere (2 g Burgundy - Bouquet) - Nik Bakar; began well from barrier one, trailed at the 800m, improved into a gap two off at the 300m and sustained a strong finish for third.

His sire, Burgundy (Redoute's Choice), bought by David Ellis, won five stakes races and his first three two-year-olds to race all won on debut. Dam, Bouquet (My Halo), showed good speed when winning and had three to race for three winners.

From the draft of Phoenix Park at the 2018 Karaka Book 1 Sale, purchased by Ellis for $80,000, and owned by the Te Akau Buttonhole Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM).

Yourdeel (2 g Dundeel - Miss Zapper) - Opie Bosson; settled last off the outside gate, seven lengths 600m and made up plenty of ground with a big finish widest on the track for fifth.

Bred by Dan Myers, he is owned by Ralph Fauvel, Mrs. Vivienne Fauvel, Richard Williams, Kirsty Percy, Little Avondale Trust, and Guy Williams.

By the Champion Three-Year-Old and Horse of the Year in New Zealand, Dundeel (High Chaparral), who was also Champion Middle Distance Male in Australia, he is from the Red Ransom mare Miss Zapper, a winner of three races from 1200m to 1900m in Australia.

Heat 19 Maiden 1000 metres (4 ½ lengths, 3 ¾ lengths 1:00.6)

Golden Age (3 g Savabeel - La Belle Epoque) - Opie Bosson; settled towards the rear in a tightly knit field, five lengths 600m, found a gap in centre track at the 200m and worked home solidly into third over a sprint trip.

Purchased by David Ellis for $350,000 at the New Zealand Bloodstock 2017 Ready to Run Sale, from the draft of Lyndhurst Farm, for owners in the Te Akau Golden Age Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM).

By champion sire Savabeel (Zabeel), his dam sire Montjeu was one of the highest quality horses in the world, winning the Irish Derby, French Derby, and Arc de Triomphe, and experiencing a lot of success when standing at stud in New Zealand.

Also from Lyndhurst, at the Ready to Run Sale, Ellis bought Group One winner Hall of Fame (Savabeel) and horse of the moment Te Akau Shark, the winner of five from six, unbeaten in three this season including the Red Badge Sprint (Gr. 3, 1400m) and Couland's Bakeries Mile (Gr. 2, 1600m).

Heat 20 Maiden 1000 metres (1 ½ lengths, head 1:01.7)

Lady Jess (3 f Darci Brahma - Lady Classique) - Nik Bakar; began smartly, held together in front on a competitive pace and kept up a good gallop in the straight for third.

Bred by Jess & John Galvin, and owned by the Fortuna Lady Jess Syndicate (Mgr: John Galvin), her dam Lady Classique (Stravinsky) was purchased by David Ellis for $72,500 at the 2005 New Zealand Bloodstock Premier Yearling Sale and trained by Mark Walker to win six races to 1400 metres. Lady Classique has already left two individual winners of six races.

Ellis also purchased five time Group One winning Champion stallion Darci Brahma (Danehill), a Champion Two-Year-Old, Champion Three-Year-Old, and Champion Sprinter/Miler.

Heat 21 Maiden 1000 metres (neck, 2 ½ lengths 1:01.7)

Man Oh Man (3 g Reliable Man - Lumir) - Opie Bosson; settled off the pace, six lengths 600m and held his position tracking up behind horses in the straight before getting a bit tight late.

In training for owner/breeders Gerard Peterson, Brad Peterson, and Penny Vuglar, he stems from an unraced Encosta De Lago mare, half-sister to eight time Group One winner Mahogany (Last Tycoon) who earned $3.6 in prize money.

Displaying natural ability at his first trial attempt, Man Oh Man has the pedigree to develop into a nice staying horse, with Lumir already having left three winners around 2000 metres.

Heat 22 Maiden 1000 metres (2 ¼ lengths, 2 ¾ lengths 1:01.9)

Mistletoe (3 f Tavistock - Tinsel Time) - Opie Bosson; was three wide in sixth and six lengths off the pace passing the 600m but never really let down in the conditions and given an easy time over the final 200m.

Bred and owned by Greg Tomlinson at Nearco Stud, she is a half-sister to improving mare Tiffany's Time (Alamosa), trained by Te Akau and twice a winner over 1400 metres.

With progeny selling up to $975,000, Tavistock is clearly the best sire son of Montjeu (Sadler's Wells) at stud in New Zealand. Brilliant winning two of the toughest Group One 1400-metre races: Mudgway Stakes and the Waikato Sprint, his progeny are athletic and already won 10 Group Ones. Tinsel Time (More Than Ready) has left three individual winners.

Heat 24 Maiden 1000 metres (6 lengths, head 1:01.6)

Te Akau Dragon (3 g Power - Cool Diamond) - Opie Bosson; received a nice trip in fifth, four lengths 600m and the rider never moved a muscle running home for a tidy fourth.

Owned by the New Zealand Chinese Jockey Club & Te Akau Diamond Power Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM), purchased by David Ellis for $120,000, from the draft of Cambridge Stud, at the 2017 New Zealand Bloodstock Premier Yearling Sale.

From a young mare, and closely related to Group Two and multiple winner Gift of Power (Power), he is a horse with plenty of character and natural ability.

Heat 25 Maiden 1000 metres (1 ¾ lengths, head 1:01.2)

Trendsetting (4 m Darci Brahma - Velvet and Satin) - Jordan Nason; positioned handily in fifth, improved to the inside of runners as the field coursed wide around the home turn and kept up a good gallop for fourth.

Bred and owned by Sir Peter Vela (Pencarrow Stud), she has a world-class pedigree and family, from which Te Akau has bought and trained champion stallion Darci Brahma (Danehill) to win five Group One races among nine stakes wins, while Burgundy (Redoute's Choice) won five stakes races before going to stud. Also Bespoke (Pins), a Welcome Stakes (Listed, 1000m), and trained Uberalles (Giant's Causeway) to run third in the New Zealand Derby (Gr. 1, 2400m).

Heat 26 Maiden 1000 metres (4 ¾ lengths, 1 length 1:02.1)

Beau Geste (4 g Pour Moi - Villa Wanda) - Chelsea Burdan; began well to secure a nice position fourth on the outer and he sustained a good gallop in centre track, without urging, to finish third.

An improver through his first four start campaign with two fourths and a second, purchased by David Ellis for $32,500 at the 2016 NZB Premier Yearling Sale, from the draft of Valachi Downs, owned by the Fortuna No. 61 Beau Geste Syndicate (Mgr: John Galvin)

He is a half-brother to multiple Group One winner Wall Street (Montjeu) and capable staying mares Villa Elba (Zabeel) and Chou Chou (Pour Moi).

Heat 27 Maiden 1000 metres (head, 2 ¼ lengths 1:02.3)

Cicciolina (3 f Burgundy - A La Votre) - Opie Bosson; travelled well with one behind her, seven lengths 600m, drawn widest into the straight and sprinted well to get up and win.

From the talented three time winning mare A La Votre (Volksraad), raced by Aussie & Leslie Browne, and already a handy producer, the filly is owned by Karyn Fenton-Ellis (MNZM), Aaron Jones, and Stephen Turner.