Te Akau Monday Update

David writes:

Everything we could have wanted came this weekend leaving Karyn and David very happy people.

Firstly and most importantly, we had more rain - a further 10mls last night.  The grass has really taken off so we hope to get another couple of weeks of fine weather before winter.

Secondly, we were introduced to new owners who took shares in some horses with us.

Thirdly Jason and the team did a super job to have Chambord ready to win first up over 1200m - this is a really good horse in the making.  He has an interesting pedigree this bloke being by Zabeel out of a Montjeu mare.  We all know what a great sire of stayers Zabeel is, well so is Montjeu - he has sired four English Derby winners - does it get much better than that?  Well Chambord is developing into a sprinter/miler, not a stayer.

A beautiful ride by Matt Cameron got this horse (who we know as Blitz) home in pretty impressive fashion.  I purchased Chambord from the Karaka Premier Sale for $200,000 and this year I actually bought his half sister for $200,000 as well - both horses were bred by Cambridge Stud.

Last night in Singapore Mark Walker won another two races, one winner being Rise 'n' Shine.  He is another son of Zabeel, out of the good racemare Kay's Awake.  I bought this s lad for $130,000 from the Karaka Premier Sale and he was very impressive again yesterday.  He has now won three of his four Singapore starts and was second on the other occasion - he has almost won back his purchase price in his short career to date too with almost $120,000 in stakes' earnings from four appearances.

Rise 'n' Shine will start of the second favourite in the $500,000 Group 1 Singapore Guineas in three weeks' time - the favourite will be War Affair, an O'Reilly gelding that I also purchased at Karaka for $70,000.

Within the hour, Mark was again in the winner's circle with Zac Suggestion winning for Mr Wong's Zac stable.  So overall another great winning weekend.