Te Akau Midweek Update
3 May, 2017
David writes:
Karyn and I were greatly saddened to hear the news that the Auckland Racing Club Chief Executive Cameron George has resigned. Cameron was a breath of fresh air in racing administration and a highly talented and dynamic operator. He has made a huge difference in the five years that he has been at Ellerslie and will be hard to replace and be very sorely missed. Racing's loss is certainly the New Zealand Warriors' gain!!
What a thrill it has been today to see Griffin, the full brother to Gingernuts, win his first start at Matamata and in such stylish fashion. I thought it was a very encouraging performance from an exciting young horse. Griffin was the first horse that I have ever bought from the Gavelhouse auction house internet site that is owned by New Zealand Bloodstock. Well done to Jamie Richards who spotted him and encouraged me to buy him and to Karyn who told me she was sure she could easily syndicate him - and she was proved right, he was very popular with the shares being quickly snapped up.
It has been an amazing fortnight for the horses that are spelling on the farm - with nice crisp mornings that develop into beautiful fine days, warming up to 18 degrees and the horses are really loving life and thriving. I am particularly excited with how Gingernuts has done during his time in the spelling paddock. This Sunday we are having his owners at Te Akau Stud where we will watch all his races and have a nice glass of bubbles to celebrate an unbelievable autumn by a very talented horse.
For a 4YO to race successfully at the top level, against the older horses, they have to develop significantly between three and four years of age. This is where I am very impressed as Gingernuts must have put on 50-60 kgs during the time he has spelled here at the farm and he really does look a mature horse now. Whereas in Sydney at the end of his campaign I felt he had lightened off a bit but now he looks just amazing.
I would like to congratulate all the owners who have bought shares in the horses that we have just finished selling - almost every single share in every horse is now sold and I must say that the horse breaker reports are highly encouraging - we certainly look to have a vintage crop of rising 2YOs and we have quite a number already in the stable and it's great to get the feedback from our trainers and trackwork riders.
In total we have close to 100 first time owners and I want to wish them the very best of luck with their new horses - and to our existing owners, I want to say thank you again for the wonderful support you give to Te Akau Racing.
It has been a busy week at Te Akau Stud and we are now weighing up all the cattle, drenching them and putting them into mobs where they will be wintered - we do about 100 a day and it just makes such a difference having fine weather to do this. The cattle are weighing about 30kgs a head better this year than I can ever remember, reflecting the brilliant summer and autumn conditions we have had.
Tomorrow is a big day for us as we have Zambezi Warrior, Hall of Fame, Melody Belle, Jimmy Rea and Splurge joining Heroic Valour and Shocking Luck in Queensland - we are based at the Gold Coast which is only an hour down the road from Eagle Farm and Doomben where the horses will predominantly race.
We are also looking forward to seeing two of our "babies" contest the Listed Waikato Equine Centre Stakes at Te Rapa on Saturday. Last start winner Aquilo, a Snitzel colt I purchased at Karaka and a half brother to Champion 2YO Marky Mark, has drawn well (3) and Michael McNab will ride him. Our Group 2 winner, and Group 1 and Group 3 placegetter, Gold Fever (who may also head to Brisbane yet) will be ridden by Cameron Lammas and has drawn well enough (6) and has won at Te Rapa twice already in her short career to date.
While on the subject of Te Rapa, it was quite amazing to see how easily Splurge won on Saturday. He has grown into probably one of the most magnificent geldings I have seen - everything is in the right place with him, he's a wonderful example of equine excellence. I was also very encouraged indeed by the fresh up run of Shocking Luck at Ipswich on Monday. Owned by our very good stable client Dr Phillip Mak, he is Queensland Derby bound and looked right on target with the very close second on a tricky Ipswich track with its short straight.
On Saturday we will see Heroic Valour, to be ridden by Opie Bosson, contest the Group 3 Gold Coast Guineas so our Australian attack is well and truly underway. I am very excited by our Queensland team - it's about 10 years since we have taken a big team to Queensland and it certainly is an exciting exercise for everyone, especially our owners. Kerry Jones and Mason Stevens are flying over to assist Jamie.
Have a great week and we look forward to seeing you at Te Rapa this Saturday. Go the tangerine!
