Te Akau on Exhibition

In the past week, Te Akau trained horses stepped out with exhibition gallops ...

In preparation for the Group 3 Cambridge Breeders’ Stakes (1200m) this Saturday 25 April at Te Rapa, Te Akau trainers Mark Walker & Sam Bergerson gave two smart three-year-olds an exhibition gallop between races on Saturday at Ellerslie. 

Working together over 1000 metres, King’s English (Bosson) and Drops Of God (Grylls) went 1000m in 1:00.6, 800m in 46.8, and quickened over the last 600m in a smart 33.8.

The pair may also be joined by last start winner Avantaggia (Wootton Bassett) in the $100,000 Group 3 Windsor Park Cambridge Breeders’ Stakes which is invariably a very strong race.

An impressive dual winner, King’s English (3 c Snitzel – English, by Encosta de Lago) was purchased by David Ellis CNZM at the 2024 Inglis Easter Sale, from the draft of Newhaven Park, and is owned by Te Akau 2024 Sydney Stallion Breeding Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM).

Another impressive dual winner, Drops Of God (3 f Hello Youmzain – Distinctive Lass, by Orientate) races in the colours of Greg Tomlinson (Nearco Stud), who bred the filly and races her with Raptors Thoroughbreds.

Owned by the Te Akau 2024 Avantage Filly Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM), Avantaggia (3 f Wootton Bassett – Avantage, by Fastnet Rock) was purchased by Ellis at the 2024 Gold Coast Yearling Sale, from the draft of Coolmore Stud, and he also bought nine-time Group One winning dam Avantage.

Co-trainer Sam Bergerson was on course to oversee the exhibition gallops, along with two winners on the card: Thumbelina (Per Incanto) and Charmrose (Charm Spirit), while Top Shelf (Savabeel) missed winning the Group 3 Easter Handicap (1600m) by a head margin.

“Drops Of God looked particularly good to the eye, the way she hit the line, and King’s English will sharpen up when the blinkers go on race day, as a colt,” Bergerson said.

“But they’re both building really nicely, after being freshened up following the Group 3 Almanzor Trophy (1200m), bright and well and doing everything right. 

“We’ve also got Avantaggia potentially heading to the race, coming off a really good win last Saturday at Otaki, and she worked nicely this morning at home. If she continues to do well next week – and we’ll have a good look at the field – she’s going the right way and certainly deserves her opportunity to get some valuable black type.”

The Premiership leading trainers also gave two horses an exhibition gallop between races last Wednesday at Matamata.

Qali Al Farrasha (Almanzor), ridden by Craig Grylls, worked on the inside of My Lips Are Sealed (Ace High), with Hayley Hassman aboard, and the pair went to the line virtually on terms.

A Group Two winner earlier this season and quadruple Group One placed, Qali Al Farrasha (5 m Almanzor – Nucleonic, by Burgundy) is preparing for $150,000 Group 2 Travis Stakes (2000m) on Saturday 25 April at Te Rapa.

A Te Akau homebred, and year older sister to former stable-mate and South Island Champion Two-Year-Old Nucleozor, Qali Al Farrasha is owned by David Ellis CNZM and David & Matthew Peacocke (Weston Lea Bloodstock). 

My Lips Are Sealed (5 m Ace High – Tellmeaboutit, by Tavistock) is preparing for the $100,000 Group 3 Rotorua ITM Stakes (1400m) on Saturday 9 May at Rotorua. 

WThe winner of five races, including the Group 3 Phar Lap Trophy (1600m), and most recently the Listed Lisa Chittick Champagne Stakes (1400m) in February at Matamata, My Lips Are Sealed was purchased as a yearling by David Ellis CNZM for $160,000 at the Karaka 2022 Book 1 Sale, from the draft of Rich Hill Stud, and is owned by Te Akau Not A Word Racing Partnership (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM).