Te Akau Matamata Trials' Report

Te Akau trialled horses "at home" at Matamata on Tuesday 22 January

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

Heat 2 Open 1000 metres (½ a length, neck 59.1)

Queen of the Air (3 f I Am Invincible - Flying Single) - Craig Grylls; began well from barrier one to trail nicely in third, gained room off the rail at the 150m and finished strongly for second.  

She resumed in October winning her Maiden in track record time, 1:09.6, for 1200 metres at Waverley, and freshened after the Soliloquy Stakes (Gr. 3, 1400m) at Ellerslie. Thought enough of to contest the Wellesley Stakes (Listed, 1000m) at her second start, finishing fourth, she had finished second on debut and broke through at her fourth start.

Owned the Te Akau Supersonic Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM), purchased by David Ellis for $240,000 at the 2017 Gold Coast Yearling Sale, she is a naturally talented filly.  

Heat 3 Open 1000 metres (neck, ½ a length 1:00.5)

Wide Awake(5 g Savabeel - Kay's Awake) - Chelsea Burdan; received an economical trip beyond midfield on the inner, eight lengths 600m, and worked home nicely on the inner for fourth.

Wide Awake came of age during his four-year-old season, with two wins, including victory in the Woodville Cup (2100m), two seconds, and a third for the Te Akau Wide Awake Syndicate. During a spring campaign at Riccarton, he raced solidly to record a bold win over 1800 metres, second, and three fourths from five starts.  Wide Awake was purchased by David Ellis for $150,000, from the draft of Monovale Farm, at the 2015 New Zealand Bloodstock Premier Yearling Sale. Te Akau had already experienced success with his older siblings Alert and Rise ‘N' Shine, both by Zabeel (Sir Tristram). 

His dam, Kay's Awake (Towkay), showed to be an impressive performer in her career of six wins and was regarded as one of the very best race mares over the past decade in New Zealand, placing twice behind both Darci Brahma (Danehill) and Seachange (Cape Cross) at the highest level.

Al Haram(5 g Sea the Stars - En Public) - Shafiq Rusof; settled beyond midfield on the outer, made a circling run inside the 600m and sustained his effort well for fifth. 

A winner over 2100 metres in France, by the exceptional 1600m - 2400m European Champion Three-Year-Old and European Horse of the Year Sea the Stars (Cape Cross), a half-brother to Galileo (Sadler's Wells) - both out of Urban Sea (Miswaki) - he was purchased by David Ellis for $42,500 through an Inglis online sale and owned by the Te Akau Star Struck Syndicate.

Miss Scandinavia (4 m Smart Missile - Miss Helsinki) - Nik Bakar; was ridden quietly, distant last, before continuing to make ground under her own steam in the straight and looked good through the line. 

A patient approach rewarded the Te Akau 2016 Scandinavia Syndicate when she resumed with a win during her spring campaign down South and continued solid form in the next grade with two seconds and a third from as many starts.  A mare with an exceptional pedigree: grand-dam Miss Finland (Redoute's Choice) was Champion 2YO & 3YO Filly in Australia, and winner of five races at Group One level including the Golden Slipper (1200m) and VRC Oaks (2500m), she was purchased by David Ellis from the draft of Arrowfield Stud at the 2016 Sydney Easter Yearling Sale. 

Heat 4 2YO 800 metres (1 ¼ lengths, 1 ½ lengths 48.5)

Combat Queen(2 f Pierro - Missy Cummings) - Shafiq Rusof; began well to lead comfortably, travelled well, held together when tackled at the 200m to finish second and good through the line.

Purchased by David Ellis for $135,000, from the draft of Segenhoe Stud, at the 2018 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale, after his sire Pierro (Lonhro) had sired $2m Australian Derby (Gr. 1, 2400m) winner Levendi and $1m VRC Oaks (Gr. 1, 2500m) winner Pinot. She is owned by the Te Akau Combat Queen Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM) which includes Boys Get Paid.

She is out of a stakes winning mare by Magnus, a son of Golden Slipper winner Flying Spur (Danehill). Magnus was a tough Group One winning sprinter that also finished second to Takeover Target in the Group One Krisflyer in Singapore, and second to Miss Andretti in the Group Two King's Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot in England. 

Heat 5 2YO 800 metres (½ a length, 1 ¼ lengths 49.2)

Excitonic (2 g Savabeel - Bint Piavonic) - Shafiq Rusof; began well to position in third, clear on straightening and worked home solidly for second. 

He was purchased by David Ellis for $230,000 from the draft of Brighthill Farm at the New Zealand Bloodstock Book1 Karaka Sale, owned by Te Akau Excitonic Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM).

By four-time Champion Sire Savabeel (Zabeel), his dam, Bint Piavonic, is the daughter of a terrific nine-time race winner Piavonic (Scenic), who defeated Sunline (Desert Sun) and Falvelon (Alannon) in the Manikato Stakes (Gr. 1, 1200m). Dam sire Encosta De Lago (Fairy King) is a Champion broodmare sire, setting an Australian record last year for progeny earnings in a single season, and his influence is excellent, along with breed shaping sire Northern Dancer. 

Heat 6 2YO 800 metres (5 lengths, head 47.5)

2 f Charm Spirit - Barbadine - Jonathan Riddell; utilized barrier one to lead, coasted along in front, came clear inside the 300m to win impressively in good time

Bred and owned by Sir Peter Vela (Pencarrow Stud), she is from the first crop of triple Group One winner Charm Spirit (Invincible Spirit), who commenced stallion duties in 2015 at Windsor Park Stud, and already sired 29 individual winners worldwide. Dam, Barbadine (Giant's Causeway), won twice to 2100 metres in the UK, capped solid form with a win over 2300 metres in NZ, and already left two individual winners from three foals. She carries a nicely balanced cross of Sadler's Wells and Northern Dancer.

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

2 f Burgundy - Tad Infinitum- Nik Bakar; was across nicely from the outside gate to lob along in fifth, presented widest at the 300m and wound up a strong finish to win stylishly. 

A big horse, he showed raw ability during an eye-catching first trial in September at Te Teko. Bred and raced by the Te Akau Infinitum Syndicate, dam Tad Infinitum (Traditionally), from the family of New Zealand Bloodstock Filly of the Year Justa Tad (Istidaad), winner of the 1000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m) and NZ Oaks (Gr. 1, 2400m), was purchased by David Ellis as a yearling for $20,000.

Heat 8 2YO 800 metres (¾ lengths, head 48.5)

2 f Sacred Falls - Tonic - Shafiq Rusof; began well but posted three wide in fourth, held together, quickened up nicely to an advantage in the straight and showed good determination in winning. 

Bred and owned by Paul Ryan, from the first crop of quadruple Group One winner Sacred Falls (O'Reilly), out of triple stakes winning mare Tonic (Blues Traveller) who was owned and raced by Ryan. South Island Filly of the Year in 2003, ridden in two of her three stakes victories by Paul Richards, she has already left four individual winners of 16 races.

Heat 12 2YO 1000 metres (head, ¾ lengths 1:00.4)

2 f Savabeel - Banchee - Jonathan Riddell; began well, shadowed in front, quickened to an advantage and showed plenty of determination holding a late challenge to win. 

Bred and owned by Sir Peter Vela, her dam, Banchee (Oratorio) was Champion Two-Year-Old with wins in the Diamond Stakes (Gr. 1, 1200m), Matamata Breeders' Stakes (Gr. 2, 1200m), second in the Eclipse Stakes (Gr. 3, 1200m), and third in the Karaka Million (Restricted Listed, 1200m), during a juvenile season that saw her earmarked for the Golden Slipper (Gr. 1, 1200m). A family with tremendous courage and ability, the filly is a three-quarter sister to Champion Three-Year-Old and history maker Katie Lee (Pins), who won both the 1000 & 2000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m).

Heat 13 2YO 1000 metres (head, ¾ lengths 1:00.9)

Diamond Dream (2 f Fastnet Rock - Cierzo) - Craig Grylls; began well to sit second on a steady pace, which increased when a rival loomed three wide at the 700m, and sustained a strong finish without much urging for a close second. 

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 14 2YO 1000 metres (1 ½ lengths, long head 59.5)

Harlow (2 f Proisir - Joan's Girl)- Shafiq Rusof; received a soft trip three back on the inner, angled clear at the 200m and finished solidly for second in a nice educational trial. 

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 15 Maiden 1000 metres (½ a length, 1 ¼ lengths 1:00.1)

Quattro Katie(3 f Zoustar - Kakakakatie) - Joe Kamaruddin; was first away from the barriers, steadied to receive a lovely trip with cover in third, quickened to lead at the 200m and won well.

She was unlucky not to win during a Southern spring campaign that saw her place three times from five starts, including a third in the Canterbury Belle Stakes (Listed, 1200m). 

Quattro Katie was purchased by David Ellis for $150,000, from the draft of Baramul Stud, at the 2017 Gold Coast Yearling Sale. Her sire, Zoustar (Northern Meteor), trained by Chris Waller, was sold to stud for $14 million in the week leading up to his victory in the 2013 Coolmore Stud Stakes (Gr. 1, 1200m) at Flemington - providing jockey Jim Cassidy with his 100^thgroup one winner. Zoustar won six of his nine starts, including two Group Ones and two Group Twos.

A Zoustar filly fetched $1 million at the 2017 Inglis Easter Yearling Sale, and his filly Sunlight (winning five from seven) finished third in the $4m Golden Slipper (Gr. 1, 1200m). Zoustar has sired 38 individual winners, including eight stakes winners, and named Australian Leading First Season Sire.

The win provided Te Akau apprentice Joe Kamaruddin (25) with his first trial win, having previously ridden a nice trial aboard stable-mate Full of Grace (O'Reilly) on 17 December at Waipa. Before coming to New Zealand, Kamaruddin had ridden 50 trials in Penang, Malaysia. 

Heat 16 Maiden 1000 metres (head, 2 ¼ lengths 1:00.9)

Scottish Star(3 f Bullbars - Highland Lights) - Shafiq Rusof; showed good gate speed to lead from barrier three, travelled comfortably, joined in front at the 250m and kicked hard for a close second without serious urging. 

A half-sister to stable-mate and dual Group Two winner and dual Group One placed Our Abbadean (Lookin At Lucky), she was purchased by David Ellis for $46,000 at the 2017 New Zealand Bloodstock Select Yearling Sale, from the draft of Wentwood Grange, and owned by the Te Akau Scottish Star Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM). Within her bloodlines there is a very interesting cross of Glorious Song (Halo). Glorious Song is the dam of two internationally acclaimed stallions: Singspiel (In the Wings) and Rahy (Blushing Groom). Singspiel features on the dam side of Bullbars, and Rahy is the sire of dam sire Fantastic Light. 

Heat 17 Maiden 1000 metres (1 ¾ lengths, head 1:01.4)

3 g Rock ‘n' Pop - Pokuru Boxer - Jonathan Riddell; received a lovely trip three back on the inner, up to trail turn, rails run 200m and quickened through to win comprehensively under a perfect ride. 

Bred and owned by Ian Farrelly, from the second crop of Waikato Stud stallion Rock ‘N' Pop (Fastnet Rock), who was purchased by David Ellis and won the 2000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m) for the Te Akau Rock ‘N' Pop Syndicate. The second foal from a Stravinsky (Nureyev) mare, his grand-dam, Pokuru Star (O'Reilly), has left two individual winners of four races. 

Heat 18 Maiden 1000 metres (head, 7 lengths 1:01.1)

Irish Heart (3 f O'Reilly - Rehab) - Shafiq Rusof; was ridden patiently at the rear of the field, 10 lengths 600m, travelled up nicely approaching the home turn and never received any daylight in the straight, with plenty of offer. 

She was given time after sustaining a massive effort for third on debut in the Maiden 1000 metres on 11 October at Tauherenikau, running home in a slick 32.3 for the last 600m - on a day when only stable-mate Witchery (Savabeel) went quicker: 32.2.

From the draft of Waikato Stud at the 2017 New Zealand Bloodstock Premier Yearling Sale, purchased by David Ellis for $135,000, she is owned by the Te Akau Irish Heart Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM). The first foal from an unraced mare, her grand-dam, Prickle (Pins), was not only an impressive winner but also a terrific producer, while O'Reilly (Last Tycoon) was a multiple award winning champion stallion.

Rehab (Fast ‘N' Famous) is a half-sister to Queensland Derby (Gr. 1, 2400m) winner Brambles (Savabeel), a winner of six races from 1600m to 2400m, and Lopov (Savabeel), a stakes winner of the Kalgoorlie Cup and seven races from 1300m to 2500m.

Heat 19 Maiden 1000 metres (neck, neck 1:01.3)

Military Step(3 g Tavistock - Marching On) - Chelsea Burdan; began well but caught three wide on the pace, held together, he quickened up in a three way tussle down the straight and finished close in second without urging. 

Purchased by David Ellis for $62,500 at the 2017 New Zealand Bloodstock Premier Yearling Sale, from the draft of Seaton Park, and owned by the Te Akau Quick March Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM). A first foal, his dam, Marching On (Pentire), impressed with her excellent turn of foot when winning three times up to 1200 metres. She was a racehorse with very good ability.

Heat 20 Maiden 1000 metres (head, 1 ¼ lengths 1:01.0)

Miss Hepburn (3 f Reliable Man - Love the Limelight) - Shafiq Rusof; got back on the inner, improved eight lengths 600m, tracked up behind horses in the straight, finishing without much room in a busy finish. 

Purchased for $90,000 by David Ellis at the 2017 New Zealand Bloodstock Premier Sale, from the draft of Bradbury Park, owned by the Te Akau Miss Hepburn Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM).

By a French Derby winning stallion, Reliable Man, who culminated his career beating It's A Dundeel (High Chaparral) in the Queen Elizabeth (Gr. 1, 2000m) at Randwick, she is from a very consistent mare that won three races up to 1300 metres and in turn, at stud, has left terrific Group One placed galloper Spin Doctor (Pins) who won 13 races. Her grand-dam, Jacqwin (Bluebird), left the Australian 3YO title winner Metal Bender (Danasinga), a winner of nine races. 

Heat 21 Maiden 1200 metres (neck, 1 ¾ lengths 1:12.1)

Te Akau Dragon(3 g Power - Cool Diamond) - Craig Grylls; found a nice spot behind a competitive pace, sixth and five lengths 600m, he tracked up nicely to the home turn and once clear in the straight then finished strongly for second. 

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.

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