Te Akau North/South Trials' Report

Te Akau trialled horses at Cambridge and Ashburton on Tuesday 21 September 2021 -

Cambridge - Weather: cloudy, track: poly-track, rail: true.

Heat 4 Maiden 1300 metres (long neck, short head 1:18.8)

4 g Civics - Dixie Belle - Troy Harris; began well to trail on the inner and he worked home nicely to be close at the line.

In training for owner/breeder James Mellow, by versatile sire Civics (Danehill), from a Stark South (Dixieland Band) mare, he carries a nicely balanced cross of Northern Dancer and His Majesty through his sire lines.

Heat 6 Open 950 metres (short head, 1 ½ lengths 54.9)

Brando  (4 h Savabeel - Saoirse) - Troy Harris; began well before trailing fourth on the inner and had more to offer when coasting home in fifth.

A stakes' winner and Group 1 placed, he was purchased by David Ellis CNZM at the 2019 New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run and is owned by the Te Akau R2R Colt Breeding Syndicate. He was bred and sold by Fairdale Stud, from whom Ellis purchased $1m Karaka Million 2YO (Restricted Listed, 1200m) and Sistema Stakes (Gr. 1, 1200m) winner, now stallion, Cool Aza Beel (Savabeel).

Heat 7 Open 950 metres (2 ¾ lengths, 1 ¼ lengths 54.7)

Mai Tai (5 m Atlante - Tropical Punch) - Danielle Johnson; trailed third from barrier one and was never off the bridle in finishing fourth.

The winner of five from 10 for the Hawkins family at Wentwood Grange, she ended her previous campaign after winning the Anzac Mile (Listed, 1550m) on Anzac Day (25 April) at Awapuni.

Heat 9 Maiden 3YO 950 metres (½ head, 1 ¼ lengths 55.0)

Sternland (3 f Astern - Landslide) - Danielle Johnson; began well before steadying fifth and she wound up strongly for close second.

In training for owner/breeder James Chapman (Jamieson Park), who has winner of two from five Wishing Well (Charm Spirit) in the stable, she is from the first crop of Group 1 winner Astern (Medaglia d'Oro). Her dam, Landslide, is by the world renowned sire of sires and broodmare sire More Than Ready (Southern Halo).

Heat 11 Maiden 3YO 950 metres (long neck, 1 ¼ lengths 54.6)

Amalfi Prince (3 g Sebring - Campania) - Troy Harris; began well from barrier one to trail third, and, chasing determinedly at the turn, he finished strongly for close second.

Owned by Te Akau Spirit Racing Partnership (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM), he was purchased by David Ellis CNZM for $90,000, from Ohukia Lodge, at the 2020 New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sale. He is by Golden Slipper (Gr. 1, 1200m) winner Sebring (More Than Ready), from a mare that won six races (1100m - 1900m) in Australia.

Heat 12 Maiden 3YO 950 metres (length, length 54.1)

Fierce Flight (3 g Flying Artie - First Bloom) - Danielle Johnson; steadied back from a wide draw, he was seven lengths 600m, and although finishing back he was good through the line.

Owned by Te Akau Out of Bounds Racing Partnership (Mgr: Karyn-Fenton Ellis MNZM), he was purchased by David Ellis CNZM for $45,000 at the 2020 New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sale, from the draft of Kilgravin Lodge. His sire, Flying Artie (Artie Schiller), a World Champion Three-Year-Old Sprinter, headed the three-year-old Timeform Ratings (127) and the young sire has already left Group 1 winner Artorius in the Blue Diamond Stakes (Gr. 1, 1200m).

Heat 13 Maiden 3YO 950 metres (2 ¼ lengths, 2 ½ lengths 54.9)

Got It in One (3 g Savabeel - Got It) - Troy Harris; settled fifth outer, got a few reminders but did not seem to appreciate the surface.

Owned by Te Akau Got the Goods Racing Partnership (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM), he was purchased by David Ellis CNZM at the Karaka 2020 Book 1 Sale, from the draft of Waikato Stud. By Cox Plate (Gr. 1, 2040m) winner Savabeel (Zabeel), from Pins (Snippets) mare, and family of four-time Group 1 winner Sacred Falls (O'Reilly), he is bred on the same cross as Horse of the Year contender Probabeel (Savabeel). From the same family, Te Akau also bought and trained Splurge (Savabeel), who numbered Group 2 and Group 3 victories among eight wins, which included three in succession.

Heat 14 Maiden 4YO & Up 950 metres (1 ½ lengths, 1 ¼ lengths 54.8)

Image of You  (4 m Pins - Exactly Like You) - Joe Kamaruddin; steadied back from a wide draw, on a genuine pace, she was 12 lengths away at 600m, but made ground solidly into midfield.

Owned by the Te Akau Mirror Image Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM), she was bought by David Ellis CNZM from the draft of Waikato Stud at the NZB 2019 Karaka Book 1 Sale. By a Champion sire, Pins (Snippets), she is out of young mare by Champion Sire and emerging broodmare sire Savabeel (Zabeel).

Heat 15 Maiden 4YO & Up 950 metres (½ length, long head 55.0)

Badgeringdawitness  (4 g Reliable Man - Ebony and Ivory) - Niranjan Parmar; travelled widest off the outside gate, five lengths off at the 600m, before running home strongly on the bridle for a close fourth.

A staying type, registering a fourth and fifth from two starts to 1300 metres, he is in training for owner/breeders Rod Duke and Gerard Peterson (Gee Gee Equine).  His dam Ebony and Ivory (Zabeel) impressed winning over a mile and has now left five individual winners of 12 races.

Heat 16 2YO 800 metres (short neck, 5 ¼ lengths 47.0)

Zantabulous (2 f Almanzor - Zantelagh) - Joe Kamaruddin; got back from a wide draw, six lengths at the 600m, and she was unpressured running home strongly for fourth.

From the first crop of Almanzor (Wotton Bassett): European Champion Three-Year-Old that claimed the same titles in Ireland and France, she is out of a Zabeel mare that won three times to 1800 metres in Australia. She was purchased by David Ellis CNZM at the 2021 Karaka Book 1 Sale, from the draft of Cambridge Stud, and owned by Te Akau Zantabulous Racing Partnership (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM).

Grace ‘N' Grey  (2 f Spirit of Boom - Gracious Grey) - Troy Harris; began well from outside gate, settled fifth, and she was held together while running home solidly.

By Champion Queensland Sire Spirit of Boom (Sequalo), the filly is from a mare by Champion Sire and Champion Broodmare Sire Redoute's Choice (Danehill). She was purchased by David Ellis CNZM at the 2021 Karaka Book 1 Sale, from the draft of Cambridge Stud, and is owned by Te Akau Gracious Spirit Racing Partnership (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM).

Heat 17 2YO 800 metres (2 lengths, 2 ½ lengths 47.1)

I Choose You (2 f I Am Invincible - Choose) - Troy Harris; began smartly from barrier one, trailed, and she ran home strongly near the rail for second.

By Champion Australian Stallion I Am Invincible (Invincible Spirit), from six-time winner (1200 - 1400m) Choose, by New Zealand bred stallion Starcraft (Soviet Star), a world-class galloper and five-time Group 1 winner that claimed titles of Champion 3YO in Australia, Champion Sprinter in New Zealand, and Champion Miler in Europe. Bought by David Ellis CNZM at the 2021 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, from the draft of Yarraman Park Stud, she is owned by Te Akau 2021 Fillies' Breeding Syndicate  (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM).

Heat 18 Open 800 metres (short neck, long neck 46.5)

Excitonic (5 g Savabeel - Bint Piavonic) - Joe Kamaruddin; began well to race amid three on pace and while held together he sustained a strong gallop for third.

He emulated a second-up Maiden victory when winning again during his last campaign. Purchased by David Ellis CNZM 2018 Karaka Book 1 Sale, from the draft of Brighthill Farm, he is owned by Te Akau Excitonic Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM). By six-time Champion Sire Savabeel (Zabeel), his dam, Bint Piavonic (Enosta De Lago), is the daughter of terrific nine-time winner Piavonic (Scenic), who defeated Sunline (Desert Sun) and Falvelon (Alannon) in the Manikato Stakes (Gr. 1, 1200m).

The Panther (4 g Iffraaj - La Panthere) - Niranjan Parmar; was caught widest from the outside gate, however travelled well, and remained on the bridle while rounding off solidly for close fifth.

A fresh-up winner in February, he is owned by Te Akau Fiery Red Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM). He was purchased by David Ellis CNZM for $60,000, from the Wentwood Grange draft, at the 2019 Karaka Book 1 Sale. He is bred on the same cross as Gingernuts (Iffraaj/Generous mare), trained by Te Akau to win the NZ Derby (Gr. 1, 2400m), Rosehill Guineas (Gr. 1, 2000m), and Windsor Park Plate (Gr. 1, 1600m).

Heat 19 Open 800 metres (9 lengths, nose 45.7)

Campionessa  (4 m Contributer - Bella Carolina) - Joe Kamaruddin; began well to sit second off clear leader, was third at the turn, and she ran home well to photo-finish for second.

She followed consecutive wins at her first two starts with two fourths. Owned by Te Akau Campionessa Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM), she is from the first NZ crop of exciting Mapperley Stud stallion Contributer (High Chaparral), from three-time winning O'Reilly (Last Tycoon) mare Bella Carolina and was purchased by David Ellis CNZM for A$60,000 at the June Magic Millions' Gold Coast Sale.

Lightning Field  (5 g Deep Field - Claudine) - Niranjan Parmar; settled fourth of five and he ran home solidly between runners in a group for the minors.

He was duly rewarded after five seconds in nine starts with victory in May at Ellerslie. Owned by Te Akau Fine Field Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM), he was purchased by David Ellis CNZM, from the draft of Henlee Park, at the 2018 Karaka Book 1 Sale. His sire, Deep Field, is by ill-fated emerging stallion Northern Meteor (Encosta De Lago), who proved a huge loss to the Australian stallion ranks. Lightning Field is line-bred to some terrific sires: Sir Tristram, Mr. Prospector, and Northern Dancer.

Heat 20 Maiden 3YO 800 metres (3 ¾ lengths, 1 ¾ lengths 46.5)

Eridor  (3 g Telperion - Fille de France) - Joe Kamaruddin; began well before contesting a competitive pace and was not knocked around in sustaining a good gallop for third.

Having his first trial from the stable for owner/breeder Gerry Harvey (Westbury Stud), he is from the first crop of the beautifully bred young stallion Telperion (Street Cry), standing at Westbury Stud, out of a mare by former Champion Two-Year-Old Sire and multiple group one producer Mossman (Success Express).

Xtravert  (3 g Xtravagant - Doyenne) - Niranjan Parmar; chased a competitive pace from back on the inner, had to change ground in the straight, and belatedly finished strongly through the line.

Having his first trial for Te Akau Xtraverts' Racing Partnership (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM), he was bred by at Te Akau Stud. He is by record-breaking Te Akau 2000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m) winner Xtravagant (Pentire), from a stakes' placed winner of six, Doyenne (Kilimanjaro).

Heat 23 Maiden 4YO & Up 800 metres (short neck, 4 lengths 46.2)

Midnight Special  (4 m Excelebration - Midnight Van Damme) - Joe Kamaruddin; travelled boldly outside the leader before finishing third of three.

In training for owner/breeder Bill Hurlstone, by Exceed and Excel (Danehill) stallion Excelebration, sire of 21 stakes winners, including four at Group 1, she is the first foal from Van Nistelrooy (Storm Cat) mare Midnight Van Damme, a talented race mare that won three times from 1300m - 2000m and placed in eight. The filly carries a strong influence of immortal sire Northern Dancer.

Ashburton - Weather: fine, track: Good3, rail: out 6 metres from 1200m - 400m, remainder true (cutaway rail straight).

Heat 9 Open 1000 metres (length, 2 lengths 58.1)

Radegast  (5 g Savabeel - Marveen) - Jason Laking; steadied to last from outside gate, chasing genuine pace, eight lengths 600m, and he closed the margin solidly on the inner for fifth.

A winner and twice placed during the last campaign, he was purchased by Te Akau principal David Ellis CNZM for $175,000 at the 2018 New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sale, from the draft of Kilgravin Lodge, and is owned by Te Akau Radegast Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM).

Heat 10 Open 1000 metres (¾ lengths, length 58.1)

Supreme Khan (4 g Mongolian Khan - Angelica Hall) - Rohan Mudhoo; began well to trail the joint leaders, utilized cutaway rail and he finished strongly to win unpressured.

He has registered three wins and two seconds from seven starts. Owned by Shaw's Property Holdings, Te Akau Supreme Khan Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM) & Tale to Tell Syndicate, he was purchased by David Ellis CNZM for $160,000, from the draft of Windsor Park Stud, at the 2019 Karaka Book 1 Sale.

Challa  (4 g Dissident - Are There Any) - Samantha Wynne; shared a competitive pace on the inner and he sustained a strong gallop for third.

Stakes' placed, and a three time winner to 1200 metres, he was purchased by David Ellis CNZM for $100,000, from the draft of Trelawney Stud, at the NZB 2018 Karaka Book 1 Sale in January, and is owned by the Te Akau Challa Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM).

Heat 11 Open 1000 metres (½ a length, ½ a length 59.0)

Noverre (3 c Savabeel - Magic Dancer) - Jason Laking; was easy from a wide gate, six lengths at the 600m, and he rounded off solidly behind the leaders.

He duly delivered second-up over 1200 metres in February at Wanganui.  He was purchased by David Ellis CNZM in January at the 2020 Karaka Book 1 Sale, from the draft of Waikato Stud, and is owned by Te Akau 2020 Breeding Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM).

Heat 15 Maiden 3YO 1000 metres (length, head 59.5)

Shepherd's Delight (3 f Rip Van Winkle - Safari Sunset) - Rohan Mudhoo; began well from the outside gate to race handily and she sustained her run under minimal urging to win nicely.

In training for Wentwood Grange, by the sire of dual Group 1 winner and former stable-mate Te Akau Shark, she is from a Volksraad mare that has left four individual winners of 16 races.

Heat 19 Open 1200 metres (1 ½ lengths, 2 ½ lengths 1:11.8)

Leaderboard  (7 g Street Cry - Flower Fairy) - Rohan Mudhoo; settled midfield outer and he was unpressured over a sprint trip to finish fifth.

Owned by the Fortuna Leaderboard Syndicate (Mgr: John Galvin), he ended his previous campaign with consecutive wins to 2400 metres and since resumed with fourth over 1600 metres. By the sire of Winx, he was a strong winner over 2400 metres in Ireland, and was purchased from the U.K.