Te Akau Matamata Trials' Report

Te Akau trialled horses at Matamata on Tuesday 14 January -

Weather: showery, track: Dead6, rail: out 15 metres.

Heat 2 Open 1000 metres (2 ¼ lengths, ¾ lengths 59.8)

Te Akau Shark (5 g Rip Van Winkle - Bak Da Chief) - Michael McNab; was given time three back on the inner and tracked through under a hold into second. 

A cracking racehorse, Te Akau Shark performed terrifically during a spring campaign in Australia, finishing second both in the Tramway Stakes (Gr. 2, 1400m) and Epsom Handicap (Gr. 1, 1600m) at Randwick, and third in the Cox Plate (Gr. 1, 2040m) at Moonee Valley. Purchased by David Ellis for $230,000 at the New Zealand Bloodstock 2016 Ready to Run Sale, from the draft of Lyndhurst Farm.

Duck Road (4 g Ekraar - Silver Buttons) - Chelsea Burdan; went forward outside the leader and kept up a solid gallop for third. 

In training for breeder Dr. John Southworth, Gilbert Southworth and John Elstob, he capped good form before winning at his fourth start, over 1400 metres last January at Rotorua, freshened following a third in a strong $80k Special Conditions race at New Plymouth, and preparing to race again after three starts in the spring.

Te Akau Caliburn (5 h Camelot - Enchanted Evening) - Craig Grylls; positioned three back on the outer and not asked for much he was good when closing late in the piece. 

Owned by the 2019 Te Akau European Breeding Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis), he was bought privately in July last year by David Ellis and following a period in quarantine had two starts in Melbourne, on his way to NZ. At the time of purchase, he had won two races, most recently over 2400 metres in June at Pontefract, West Yorkshire, England, and also registered a second and two thirds from nine starts.

Heat 3 Open 800 metres (¾ lengths, neck 47.3)

Sword of Osman (4 g Savabeel - Bunyah) - Michael McNab; received a good trip in fourth, ranged widest rounding the home turn and sustained his gallop for third. 

A finalist for Champion Two-Year-old after winning the Sistema Stakes (Gr. 1, 1200m) and Matamata Slipper (Gr. 3, 1200m). He won the Sarten Memorial (Gr. 2, 1400m) as a three-year-old, and five from 11 in total. A strong and precocious son of five-time Champion Sire Savabeel (Zabeel), he was purchased by David Ellis for $165,000 at the 2017 New Zealand Bloodstock Premier Yearling Sale, prepared by Trelawney Stud for breeder Joan Egan, and owned by the Te Akau Great Sword Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM).

Griffin (5 g Iffaaj - Double Elle) - Joe Kamaruddin; travelled quite keenly in the trail and held together without sufficient room to improve in the straight. 

The brother to Te Akau trained $1.2m earner Gingernuts (Iffraaj), winner of New Zealand Derby (Gr. 1, 2400m), Rosehill Guineas (Gr. 1, 2000m), and Windsor Park Plate (Gr. 1, 1600m), Griffin impressively won his only start as a two-year-old and came into his own last season with three wins from six starts. He was purchased by David Ellis for $90,000 from the New Zealand Bloodstock online auction site Gavelhouse.

Heat 4 2YO 800 metres (neck, 4 ¼ lengths 47.9)

Need I Say More (2 g No Nay Never - Bo Bardi) - Michael McNab; went forward to lead, joined at the 200m and found more to win without serious urging. 

By a sire making waves in Europe, No Nay Never is by Scat Daddy who sired 2018 Triple Crown winner Justify. His dam, Bo Bardi, is by Champion Sire Fastnet Rock (Danehill). Owned by the Te Akau Never Say Die Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis), he was purchased by David Ellis for $130,000, from the draft of Kilgravin Lodge, at the 2019 Karaka Book 1 Sale. 

Felicienne (2 f Savabeel - Flavigny) - Troy Harris; was let find her feet off the pace, six lengths 600m, and made ground comfortably into third. 

Owned by the Te Akau Flavabeel Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM), she was purchased by David Ellis for $190,000 at the 2019 Karaka Book 1 Sale, from the draft of Windsor Park. By Cox Plate (Gr. 1, 2040m) winning three-year-old and five-time Champion Sire Savabeel (Zabeel), she is from a young mare by successful sire Mastercraftsman (Danehill Dancer).

Heat 5 2YO 800 metres (¾ lengths, 3 ½ lengths 48.8)

2 f Savabeel - Tempo Manor - Michael McNab; began well from the outside gate but caught wide, she worked up third at the 400m and held together while finding the line strongly for second in her first trial. 

In training for Nelson and Meagan Schick (Windsor Park Stud), by five-time Champion Sire Savabeel (Zabeel), from a General Nediym mare that won four times to 1300 metres in Australia, she was purchased by David Ellis for $95,000, from the draft of Westbury Stud, at the 2019 Karaka Book 1 Sale. 

Garbo (2 f Proisir - La Pucelle) - Troy Harris; was awkward early before travelling in fourth and not asked for too much she was good through the line in her first trial.

Purchased by David Ellis for $17,500 at the 2019 NZB South Island Sale, by leading Second Season Sire (wins) Proisir (Choisir), the dam, La Pucelle, was a winner over 1200 metres and her sire, Tale of the Cat (Storm Cat), was the sire of brilliant Te Akau trained 2000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m) winner Tell A Tale. She is owned by the Te Akau Saintly Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM).

Saint Hilaire (2 f Zacinto - Limoux) - Chelsea Burdan; began well before drifting to fifth on the inner and not asked for too much in her first trial outing. 

By successful stallion Zacinto (Dansili), her dam, Limoux, is by Zabeel staying sire Reset. Purchased by David Ellis for $7,500 at the 2019 NZB South Island Sale, she is owned by the Te Akau Limousine Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM). 

Heat 6 2YO 800 metres (¾ lengths, 4 ¾ lengths 47.7)

Amarelinha (2 f Savabeel - Hopscotch) - Troy Harris; began smartly to co-lead a genuine pace on the outer and dipping and diving in the ground she did well for second.

Purchased by David Ellis for $300,000 at the 2019 Karaka Book 1 Sale, from the draft of Waikato Stud and owned by the Te Akau Hopskip'n'jump Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM), she is from the family of Rosehill Guineas (Gr. 1, 2000m) winner and Australian Champion Three-Year-Old Metal Bender (Danasinga).

It's My Party (2 f Darci Brahma - A La Votre) - Michael McNab; was easy from a wider gate, five lengths 600m and picked up well nearer the rail in a photo for third. 

Owned by the Te Akau Party Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM), she was purchased by David Ellis for $20,000, from the draft of Ralph Thoroughbreds, at the 2019 Karaka Book 1 Sale. By five-time Group One winning stallion Darci Brahma (Danehill), purchased as a yearling by David Ellis, she is out of a mare by terrific sire and broodmare sire Volksraad (Green Desert).

Soprano Supreme (2 f Contributer - Falsetto) - Chelsea Burdan; pushed along between runners in fifth and although losing her spot she still fought well in her first trial.

Owned by the Fortuna Soprano Supreme Syndicate (Mgr: John Galvin), she was purchased by David Ellis for $62,500 at the 2019 Karaka Book 1 Sale, from the draft of Te Runga Stud. From the first crop of Champion Australian Middle Distance Horse of the Year Contributer (High Chaparral), a dual Group One winner of the Chipping Norton (Gr. 1, 1600m) and Ranvet Stakes (Gr. 1, 2000m), her dam, Falsetto, by legendary stallion Zabeel (Sir Tristram), was an impressive three-time winner from 1600m - 2100m. 

Heat 7 2YO 800 metres (½ a lengths, 3 lengths 48.5)

Celestial Crown (2 g Proisir - Sarsarun) - Troy Harris; began well from a wider gate to position outside the leader and drew to an advantage after a solid duel in the straight. 

Owned by the Te Akau Crowning Glory Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis), she was bought by David Ellis, from the Hallmark Stud draft, following the 2019 Karaka Book 2 Sale, from a mare that won seven times up to 1600 metres. The stable had immediate success with leading Second Season Sire (wins) Proisir (Choisir) when two-year-old filly Harlow won on debut. 

Kahma Lass (2 f Darci Brahma - Distinctive Lass) - Leith Innes; trailed nicely on the inner from barrier one, clear two off into the straight, and not overly comfortable on the ground she was held together in third. 

Owned by Brendan Lindsay MNZM & Jo Lindsay at Cambridge Stud, she was purchased by David Ellis for $290,000 at the Karaka 2019 Book 1 Sale, from the draft of Curraghmore Stud. From the same draft in 2015, Ellis also bought her brother, Distinctive Darci. Himself a smart four-length trial winner on debut at Te Aroha, he transferred to Mark Walker in Singapore, winning nine races, including a Group Two and over NZ$1 million in prize money. His half-brother Kuro (Denman) has won five stakes races in a total of eight wins, and Southern Lad (Ocean Park) has won four in Australia. 

Heat 8 2YO 800 metres (½ a length, 1 ½ lengths 48.7)

Miss Aotearoa (2 f Per Incanto - Danex) - Troy Harris; began well from barrier one to trail in third, four lengths 600m, quickened to lead against the rail at the 200m and kept going strongly. 

Owned and bred by Tony Rider (Milan Park), she is a half-sister to recent Matriarch Stakes (Gr. 2, 2000m) winner Oceanex (Ocean Park), while dam Danex (Danasinga) has left eight winners of 20 races. 

Cornflower Blue (2 f Savabeel - Tiffany Yellow) - Michael McNab; travelled well in second and never off the bridle to fill second at the line in her first trial. 

Owned and bred by Waikato Stud, by their five-time Champion Sire Savabeel (Zabeel), from the family of talented Group Three winning sprinter Mosse (O'Reilly), the first Savabeel from the mare, her second foal (colt) sold for $280,000 at Karaka. 

Under Her Spell (2 f Not A Single Doubt - Bewitching) - Matt Cameron; began smartly to cross and lead with a handy advantage and kept going solidly for third. 

Purchased by David Ellis for $150,000, from the draft of Milan Park, at the 2019 Karaka Book 1 Sale, she is owned by the Te Akau Spellbound Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM). Not A Single Doubt (Redoute's Choice) is inbred to immortal sire Northern Dancer, and the filly carries a Northern Dancer cross through the sire line of her dam, Bewitching.

Heat 9 Maiden 800 metres (neck, head 48.1)

3 f Niagara - My Secret - Troy Harris; travelled fourth on the inner, sighted daylight against the rail on straightening, kept going strongly in a close four-way finish and good through the line.

Owned by Scott Goodwin, by successful sire Niagara (Encosta De Lago), she is the first foal from a Sakhee's Secret mare that won two (1400m) of her five starts, in turn from capable mare Keepolaria (Keeper) who won twice to 2000 metres. 

Heat 10 Maiden 800 metres (dead-heat, 3 lengths 48.9)

Hot Off The Press (3 g Shamexpress - Hot Stash) - Michael McNab; began well from the outside gate to race keenly alongside the leader and lifted well in a duel to cross the line on terms. 

Owned by the Te Akau Hot Express Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis), he was purchased by David Ellis for $185,000 at the 2018 New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sale, from the draft of Windsor Park. From a mare that won four races over 1000 metres in Sydney, Hot Stash has left three individual winner of 11 races, while his sire, Shamexpress (O'Reilly), won the Newmarket Handicap (Gr. 1, 1200m) down the straight six furlongs at Flemington, and regarded as one of the fastest sons of O'Reilly to race in Australia.

Heat 13 Maiden 1000 metres (2 lengths, head 1:00.4)

Markus Aurelius (3 g Ghibellines - Evancho) - Michael McNab; began well before steadying off the outside gate, eighth and seven lengths 600m, he circled wide into the straight and finished well to grab second on the line. 

Owned by the Te Akau Great Southern Man Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn-Fenton Ellis), he was purchased by David Ellis for $13,000 at the 2018 New Zealand Bloodstock South Island Sale, from the draft of White Robe Lodge, and has a lovely cross of the most successful sire of all time: Danehill (349 stakes winners), through the dam side of Ghibellines and as the sire of dam sire Shinzig.

Heat 14 Maiden 1000 metres (head, ½ a lengths 1:00.8)

O'Pristine (4 m O'Reilly - So Pristine) - Troy Harris; began smartly to situate outside the leader, challenged on straightening, gained an upper-hand near home only to be claimed on the line. 

In training for owner/breeder David Paykel, whom Te Akau trained dual Group Two winner and Group One placed filly Zarzuela (Zabeel). By O'Reilly (Last Tycoon), a multiple Champion Sire, she is from a Zabeel mare that Paykel bred and owned to win six races in New Zealand, before Group Two success over 1600 metres in Australia.

3 g Sacred Falls - Foiled - Michael McNab; was caught wide in midfield and fought okay given the trip. 

In training for Raffles Farm, he is a half-brother to stable-mate Prise De Fer (Savabeel) who made it four in a row with a very strong victory in the Rich Hill Mile (Gr. 2, 1600m) on 1 January at Ellerslie.

Heat 15 Maiden 1000 metres (1 ¼ lengths, ½ a length 59.9)

3 g Deep Field - Sravana - Troy Harris; steadied back off the outside gate, five lengths 600m, and he tracked through nicely between runners over the concluding stages. 

Purchased for $240,000 at the 2018 New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sale, from the draft of Wellfield Lodge, and entrusted to Te Akau Racing for training. The first foal from a mare by Stratum, his sire, Deep Field (Northern Meteor), was a highly regarded Group Two winner and track record holder over 1100 metres in Australia. Deep Field is a brother to Caulfield Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m) winner Shooting to Win, while their dam, Listen Here (Elusive Quality), subsequently sold for nearly $4 million. 

Heat 16 Maiden 1000 metres (2 ¼ lengths, 1 ½ lengths 1:00.7)

Baby Shark (3 g Rip Van Winkle - Bak Da Chief) - Michael McNab; dropped back to last from a wide gate, nine lengths 600m, circled widest and finished solidly into third. 

Purchased by David Ellis for $110,000 at the 2018 Karaka Book 1 Sale, from the draft of Leanach Lodge, Ellis also purchased his brother, Te Akau Shark.

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