Te Akau Midweek Update

David writes:

What an unbelievable weekend we had - it started off in winning fashion with Te Akau Singapore trainer Mark Walker training yet another winner on Friday night (there was no Sunday racing at Kranji this past weekend).  This wins meant that Mark kept his position on top of the Trainers' Premiership.

Then the next day - Saturday - I went to the races at Matamata and Steve and Jamie had the team on fire.  Summer Monsoon ran a top race for a close second in the Listed Matamata Slipper while Gold Fever won the prestigious Group 2 Matamata Breeders' Stakes.  This event is always won by a very good filly and it is the sixth time Te Akau has won it.

I bought Stratum colt Summer Monsoon in Sydney for A$200,000 and Savabeel filly Gold Fever on the Gold Coast for A$110,000.  They are both very valuable horses and are already worth at least five times their purchase price.

We then won the very next race on the Matamata programme, the Westbury Waikato Open Handicap with Smashing.  She is owned by Trelawney Stud's Brent and Cherry Taylor with a small number of close family and friends.  Trelawney is one of the best breeders in New Zealand - they pretty much always have horses in our stable and we love winning races for them.

About four years ago I bought an O'Reilly yearling from Trelawney at Karaka for $70,000 - he was subsequently named War Affair and he went on to be the Champion 2YO, Champion 3YO, Champion 4YO and Horse of the Year in Singapore.

Also sharing in the ownership of Smashing with Brent and Cherry is Brent's mother Faith and Maureen Davies - Maureen has been a stalwart of the Waikato Racing Club for many years.  Her late husband Eric was a legend and served on the Board when I was first on the Board with Herbie Dyke, Ken Browne and other real characters.

Last night we had 8mls of rain at Te Akau Stud and I have never ever seen so much grass in February/March - it makes a huge difference to the cattle having a good season like this.  We only have about 250 left to sell but the bulls killed yesterday averaged 350kgs - amazing weights for the tail-end bulls while the steers are this week averaging 330kgs.

When I went around the farm last night, it was pouring with rain for almost 20 minutes.  I looked at all the yearlings as I do and spent some time with one filly in particular - I just can't work out why there are still shares available in her as she is a beauty!

Lot 21 - our O'Reilly filly out of Zantelagh is as an athletic filly as you will ever see - a really strong filly who I am sure will be racing this time next year.  She really looks a Group 1 1000 Guineas' filly if I have ever seen one and we have won that race four times over the last decade or so.

I like her so much that Karyn has taken a share in her and there are now only two 10% shares remaining. So here is my tip:

If you want to race a really top filly in your lifetime - buy in to this beauty, you won't regret it and don't forget - there will be NO MORE O'Reilly's!!  A 10% share is $21,600 and a 5% share $10,800.  She has a pedigree to die for so represents great residual value in the future, especially when she races up to our expectations.

To everyone who has invested in our beautiful yearlings, my congratulations.  We have over 65 new owners who have joined the Te Akau team - this is always hugely exciting for Karyn and for me to welcome you and see you enjoy your Te Akau experience.  Also to our current owners, so many of you have re-invested with us and we truly appreciate your enthusiasm and your loyalty.  This would be one of the highest re-investments we have ever had from our wonderful team of friends/owners.

To everyone - the very best of luck!

Now our attention turns to Ellerslie this weekend.  Auckland Cup Week kicks off on Saturday with the running of the $1 million Group 1 NZ Derby.  We have two really good chances in that prestigious event this weekend - Gingernuts, the Avondale Guineas' winner, and the great news is that Beaumarchais has make the field, we needed one scratching for him to take his place and we got one! We also have some other top class horses from the stable ready to take on tough competition in what is always one of the best weeks of racing.

Derby Day would have to be one of the stand-out days of racing in New Zealand so I look forward to seeing you all at Ellerslie - hopefully in the winner's circle.