Te Akau on Exhibition

Prior to racing for the twilight meeting on Friday 13 December at Tauranga, Te Akau trainers Mark Walker & Sam Bergerson gave Group winners More To Strike and Trobriand an exhibition gallop.

Diagnosed with an issue after resuming this season when fifth in the Listed El Roca – Sir Colin Meads Trophy 1200m, after ending his two-year-old season with a brilliant victory in the Group 1 Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes over 1400m, Move To Strike (3 c I Am Invincible – No Evidence Needed, by Shamardal) was ridden in the exhibition by Opie Bosson ONZM.

Facing a similar situation after resuming with an emphatic victory over 1200 metres, Trobriand (4 g Kermadec – Arboreal, by Lonhro), winner of the Group 2 Eclipse Stakes and placed three times at Group Three level, was ridden by Craig Grylls.

Working at intervals, Trobriand led the way over 1000 metres in 1:00.6 and last 600m in 34.2, with Move To Strike clocking 1:04.3 and 36.5 on Soft7 footing.

Both horses are preparing for the Group & Listed trial before the race meeting on Friday 20 December at Matamata. 

Owned by the Te Akau 2023 Stallion Breeding Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM), Move To Strike, bred on the same I Am Invincible/ Shamardal cross as 10-time Group One winner Imperatriz, was purchased by David Ellis CNZM, from the draft of Baramul Stud, at 2023 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale. 

Trobriand, now the winner of five races for owners in the Te Akau Island Paradise Racing Partnership (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM), was purchased as a yearling by David Ellis CNZM for $260,000 at the 2022 Karaka Book 1 Sale, from the draft of Windsor Park Stud. 

Photo credit - Move To Strike - www.raceimages.co.nz