Te Akau NZ Winning Treble

Not one, not two but THREE Te Akau NZ winners today ...... here is the first!

A model of consistency, Hushed (5 g Don Eduardo - Danewhisper, by Danehill) led throughout in the New Years Day Races 2000 metres, scoring by two and a quarter lengths, on 10 December at Hastings.

With a 2-3-2 form line from his last three starts, Hushed broke through at his sixth start for majority owner and breeder Dr. Ronald Boet, Anne Hadfield and The Carers' Syndicate.

“That's awesome,” said Dr. Boet. “I bought the mare in foal to Align from a liquidation sale and she has left a few good horses. Not brilliant, but certainly there is some potential there.

Te Akau principal David Ellis purchased the resultant Align (Night Shift) foal for $40,000 at the 2010 New Zealand Bloodstock Select Yearling Sale, from the draft of Phoenix Park, and racing as Secret Whisper he won four races.

“Stephen (Autridge) and Jamie (Richards) have been quite keen to race him over longer distances and he looks like a big, strong horse,” said Dr. Boet.

The first foal out of Danewhisper, Sinar Pelangi (Faltaat), won three times up to a mile in Malaysia, and half-sister Lasswade (Johar) was thought to be an Oaks' filly before going on to win four races.

Hushed has top sires Danehill (Danzig) and Mr Prospector (Raise a Native) on his dam-side, while his third dam, Sangue (Lyphard) was a triple Group One winner of 13 races up to 2200m in the U.S.A.

Hushed was given a lovely ride by Michael McNab, who has been in top form for the stable. He picked four winners during a meeting in October at Riccarton: Sassy ‘N' Smart (Smart Missile), Opulent (Keeper), Vive La Difference (Choisir) and Risque (Darci Brahma). He led throughout aboard Bordeaux (High Chaparral) on the same course at Hastings, and most recently scored atop Flaming (Bachelor Duke) during Cup Week at Riccarton.

McNab was able to secure a soft lead with Hushed and after kicking to a handy advantage on straightening the horse never flinched on his gallop.

While the overall time was relatively comfortable (2:05.1), the final 600m in 34.7 made it difficult for his rivals to assail him.

Stable-mate Bon Marche (Nom du Jeu) was eye-catching when making ground from well back in the field for third, with Lisa Allpress aboard.

Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz