David writes:

It was another exciting weekend for Te Akau Racing, especially for our horses abroad!

In Melbourne on Saturday, Probabeel won yet another Group race in Australia in great style - the A$160,000 Group 3 Geoffrey Belmaine Stakes over 1200m in style.  While our Singapore based trainer Mark Walker was in sparkling form, winning three races on Sunday evening at Kranji for our owners.

Probabeel's run doesn't get much better than that! To carry the top weight of 60kgs from the widest gate and to sit three to four horses wide without cover before exploding down the track like she did - this is something that you do not see very often.  Given her draw and over a distance arguably short of her best - but aided by an intuitive ride by Damian Lane - it was a sight to behold when she stormed home for our third Group races win in Australia this season.  It is going to be an exciting autumn for this mare and her owners Brendan Lindsay MNZM and Jo Lindsay of Cambridge Stud.

I am very proud of the job Jamie Richards has done with this Savabeel mare that I purchased on spec. from Karaka for $380,000.  Ashley Handley who is looking after our Melbourne horses, including Brando who races this weekend, is doing a wonderful job.

Today, we had a nice team in at Matamata to race but sadly the races were called off with concerns over the track after light rainfall.  However we were able to see an exciting colt notch up yet another win - our 2YO Group performer Sword of State really showed a great turn of foot to catch a runaway leader and claim his seconf win from three starts. Another top "no panic" ride from our stable jockey Opie Bosson. I bought this colt at the Magic Millions' sale last January and he is part of our 2020 colt syndicate and he has a very bright future.

I think everyone is looking forward to Legends' Day at Te Rapa on Saturday, I know Karyn and I certainly are!

We have some really exciting race meetings coming up that I would seriously encourage you to attend. Come and enjoy a day of excitement at Te Rapa on Saturday, as it will be more than likely the last chance that to see Melody Belle and Avantage race in the Waikato.  We also have our exciting 3YO Savabeel filly Amarelinha lining up in the Group 2 fillies' race that Karyn and I sponsor.

Entry on the day is free so come and enjoy what is going to be an excellent day of racing!

I just can't believe how quickly the shares in our new yearlings are selling! We finished up purchasing 39 yearlings at the Karaka Sales and six from the Magic Millions in Australia. Of the 45 yearlings, we only have shares available in eight horses, which I am quite surprised by as these are cracking yearlings. Remember, we have had excellent success with our last-to-sell yearlings - they are quite often the best of the bunch.

Last week, I announced that I would be promoting a yearling that still had shares available, starting with the Pierro colt. I really enjoy doing this, as it gives me the opportunity to go into more details about the reasons why I like this particular yearling and share their pedigrees with you. Our Pierro colt that I spoke of last week wasn't available for much longer after my last update - he is now 100% sold.

Today, I am going to promote lot 245 - an El Roca colt out of the Encosta de Lago mare, Anthology. The mare herself is out of one of the best sprinters that I have ever seen in the last 10 years - Imananabaa.

This colt is a Karaka Million contender if I have ever seen one.

A son of the Champion 3YO El Roca, he is a cracking colt, who looks to me as real 2YO type with the potential to train on as a Guineas' contender as a 3YO.

El Roca is the son of champion sire, Fastnet Rock, who has already sired 40 Group One winners - four of those winners have been purchased by me. Fastnet Rock is the sire of Avantage, who needs very little introduction - in fact Avantage has now won more Group 1 races than any other of Fastnet Rock's off-spring globally. El Roca is also looking to make his mark as a stallion and has already sired the Group One winner Travelling Light.

On the dam's side of the family, Encosta de Lago is a three-time champion broodmare sire and is the dam sire of an incredible 72 black type winners.

I just can't wait until we begin educating this colt - he is extremely handsome and just floats when he moves around his paddock. He is one of the best movers that you will see.

Here on the farm, we had 9mls of very much needed rain overnight. The Waikato is in a drought now but the stock are all in great condition and our horses are enjoying the weather.

This week will see us finishing weaning our foals - gee we have some beauties this year!

Best of luck to our owners with runners at Te Rapa on Saturday - and ...

GO THE TANGERINE!!